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"The Arbites that were with us performed well and killed the heretics with enthusiasm. That speaks well of their reliability and they already know quite a lot about these matters. It also keeps them under our eye, where we can keep track of them."

Pater dropped tha matter. "How many Battle-Brothers should I summon?"

He nodded at Gix, feeling a surge of energy rise in him. It was like a drug to be in motion again, planning and working. He wanted to be involved, to be moving and making things happen.

Thank you, oh Emperor, for giving me the fervor to carry out your holy will.

"Are you suggesting that my Arbites have been infiltrated by Chaos?" said Xerxes as he strode into the room, his voice cold. He knew he shouldn't have, but his personal honor demanded that he take a stand for the purity of his organization.

"Yes."

Jolan Gix turned to the Judge. His voice was hard. "Everything has been infiltrated by Chaos, for the Astartes to the Inquisition. No one is beyond its reach, not even a primarch. That is why you answer to the Hereticus and to the Malleus." I don't have the patience to deal with this idiotic posturing.

"I know very well of Chaos' power to tempt, to corrupt. That is why I am still free, Inquisitor, from their taint. The Book of Judgement says something of this. 'Knowledge protects the innocent, guides the hand of justice, and defends those who partake of it from taint'." Xerxes, was if nothing, dedicated to his order...

Pater raised his eyebrow. "So, you implicitly trust every single Arbites trooper on this planet? Interesting. Aren't there several million of them? Do you know them all by name, perhaps?"

"I cannot speak for all, of course. But I know my own men well. They are pure." Xerxes maintained his compisition, even as he felt a hint of fury rising in his chest.

Prius turned, personal experience fueling the cold bitterness of his words. "No one is safe from corruption. The Book of Guidance speaks thusly... The only perfect being is the Emperor, and all beneath him must be eternally vigilant to the threat of corruption from both within and those around them."

"We need to plan carefully. We must be cautious in alerting them to the fact we know what they are up too"

"Setting up some offices would be good a base of operations... hmm I think Captain Novadlorian could secure a ship for us"

Nathan looked at the others.

"We could ward it and secure it so it would be relatively secure"

Gix resumes speaking. His voice has lost none of its iron, but is less harsh. "I have considerable confidence in you and your men, Arbitrator. I said so just a moment ago. But if your main concern is for the public reputation of your organization, not the safety of the Imperium, then I am mistaken. If you overheard our conversation you know what the stakes are."

"Kru... My ship is secure."
"Commander Xerxes, this is not a class on interpreting the words of the Emperor. Noone is safe from corruption; Last week we fought one who used to be an Inquisitor, and knew far more than you ever will."

"Pater's idea is sound. An inquisitor's ship by its' very nature will have sufficient security measures for our activities."

"If the citizens of the Imperium no longer trust us to enforce the Emperor's will, who will they trust? We are constantly in contact with the population of countless planets, and it is critical that we maintain uniform purity. Every Arbitrator is concerned with his organization's public appearance. It is paramount to the way we operate."

Nathan nods "then I am most fortunate in that my retinue only consists of myself,Sister Lillith and Captain Novadlorian....if Commisar Prius has anything to say...my offer still stands Commisar."


"I`ll arrange for my things to be sent to the ship. Next we need to plan a course of action"

"Public? We are Inquisitors. Unless you think that we are loose-lipped enough to tell everyone. Do you?"

Once again, the patience and care the inquisitors take in dealing with affairs amazes him. Given his own head, he would've shot an insubordinate officer by now.

But then, this is the wide world beyond Guard and Commissariat affairs, where perhaps there is more leeway for discussion than he's used to.

He nods at Nathan. "I would be honored to join you, Inquisitor."

And perhaps to hear tales of the glorious days of the Grand Crusade, when the Emperor walked among mortal man, dispensing his wisdom with one hand, and death to the foes of mankind with the other... how grand will that be?

"Master Arbiter...remeber the lesson that ...Hourus taught us.....anyone may fall it matters not your rank or position"

"Aribrator, you forget yourself. For the last time, you are not dealing with a citizen of the Imperium. You are dealing with the Inquisition. Do not mistake our indulgence of a loyal citizen as a lack of will to act. Comport yourself accordingly and address the problem at hand: Securing this resource for the good of the Imperium and preventing a catastrophe."

Xerxes tilted his head downward. "I was not arguing against you, Inquisitors, merely stating the Arbites' position within the Imperium. I will of course render my services to you."

"Now that we have that matter dealt with we can get back to matters of importance. Arbitrator Xerxes and Naval Security are both good sources of muscle for our operations. The survivors of the Borean Rifles are also a good choice. I am sorry Commissar, but their travails have not ended yet. Any ideas about the additional division of labour. Or shall we suspend discussion until we are on Pater's ship?"

He shrugs at the mention of the Rifles. "Our duties to the Emperor only end with our deaths," he quotes. "They will serve as needed. I would recommend moving to a more secure location, and perhaps taking a meal as well. It could be a good while before we have an opportunity to eat an unhurried meal again."

Old training, a lesson he learned from an IG sergeant who schooled his class in basic infantry tactics. Whenever you've got a spare minute, eat, shit, sleep, in that order,' he told them.

Nathan noded to Prius "I m glad you have accepted.One other thing if Ido something that seems Amiss to you call me on it.In this manner we can more easily avoid corruption . Remeber trust the Emperor and dread-nought"

"dreadnought...... could we do it??? Weapons are easily attainable all we need are the housings.....use standard controls like on a sentinel or Valkyrie...."