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He nodded to Nathan. "My training and faith compel me to do no less," he said, making the sign of the aquila. "Let us bring fear to the enemies of the Emperor."

Several minutes later they were on Pater's ship, which had a spacious Receptorum for formal meetings, complete with servitor-waiters.

"I propose that Nathan be the principal or head investigator of the archaeotech. His superior familiarity with ancient technology and his seniority both argue for it." Jolan paused to take a drink from the a servitor's tray.

The food was of a far higher quality than anything he ever ate at the Schola, but that was no longer relevant to Prius. Among the damage he'd taken during his exorcism, his sense of taste had been thoroughly destroyed. The chirugeon had mentioned the possibility of adding nasal filters that could roughly replicate his sense of smell, a possibility he had resolved to pursue when the opportunity arose, but for the moment all food was bland and tasteless to him.

It did not matter, though. Food was fuel to keep the body going anyway. He simply ate what was put before him as he listened to the discussion and planned his usurpation of control of Imperial forces on the planet. He was fully confident in his ability to oversee Guard affairs, but he had only the most cursory knowledge of naval matters, and was glad that he had Severa to back him up on that.

"I am humbled by your faith in me and will do my best to do what I can with what I am given"

"Though my 'Senority ' is in question For I have only served the Emperor for 20 years most of which were in the Ordo Iperiulus...."

Nathan siped an offered drink.

Pater drank only water and ate ration cubes; He preferred to save his more exotic foods for later.

"As I said before, I volunteer to interface with the Astartes. How many Battle-brothers would you suggest requesting?"

He pondered the question. "We have two regiments of battle-tested Guard still intact on the planet, and I would propose that we form the remnants of the Rifles into a rapid-response security element... it would depend on how many Astartes we could bring in without attracting too much attention. I would prefer a company at least, but that would definitely raise a few eyebrows."

"Yes, a company might be a little too much. I should be able to request a tactical squad."

"Nine battle brothers died," said Gix. "Astartes will come whether we request them or not. As for the Grey Knights, we shouldn't as for more than two squads. They'll be the backbone of our operations, should it be necessary. Supposing that some are available, of course."

"As for your seniority, Pater is just newly promoted, and next month will mark a full two standard years as an inquisitor. Unfortunately, most of us are inexperienced by the standards of our profession. We must endeavour to be worthy of the responsibility now entrusted to us. As to the Boreans, your suggestion seems excellent Colonel-Commissar. We should leave that effort in your capable hands."

It's not quite the style he's used to working with, but there are enough similarities for him to plot it out. "Surgical strikes, then. Utilizing the Astartes as a covert hammer, while the putative mission of the Guard is to handle the cultists, for public consumption. Once we have reasonably assured ourselves of the viability of the Arbites as a whole, we put them onto the task of cleaning out any dissident elements within the nobility. And if needed, we can turn our various arms of enforcement back upon the Iron Men."

He takes a sip of water and looks around the table.

"You are getting the hang of our business Colonel-Commissar."

He blinked, not sure if he'd stepped out of line. "I was merely viewing this as I would a military operation, Lord Inquisitor. I beg pardon if I have spoken out of turn."

"It was a compliment, Colonel-Commissar."

"Sound plan. But, my Arbites and I are very familiar with urban terrain and combat. It would be a waste to the Imperium for you not to utilize our skills during the main attack."

"As I said earlier, I volunteer to investigate the extent and nature of the heresy on this planet - that is, after all, what I spend most of my time doing.

"As for muscle - there is, according to my information, at least one company of Stormtroopers on the planet, and their commander is a friend of mine. If we require shock troops in greater numbers than the Astartes can make available, they will no doubt serve admirably."

He nodded, relieved. His enthusiasm still tended to get the best of him... for all his recent heroics, he was still a very young man of barely twenty terran years.

"Indeed. The good Judge is worried about smears to the Aribites reputation, as if he was dealing with street scum or minor nobility. You are worried about how to preserve the Imperium and best use our assests. It is pleasing to confirm that you are sufficiently flexible to do the kind of work the Inquisition requires."

He wanted to feel the thrill of combat once more. It was like a drug to him. But he surprised even himself with his insistency on the matter. Perhaps some more meditation would do him well.

"If you have reliable agents on hands, by all means use them. Hethor and Severa serve me well and I think of them more as friends and fellow travellers. The Tau and Kroot may also be useful in this endevour."

"Xenos? Are you sure, Inquisitor? They are hardly the most dependable assets."

He frowned, having gone down this road with the Inquisitors before. While their arguments were sound, he still found it hard to stomach dealing with the foul creatures, and never would be comfortable with it. He could not in good conscience argue with Xerxes on the issue, and left that matter to the Inquisitors.

"The Kroot were in Davik's service for 5 years. They are as dependable as Xenos can get."

His squad had busied themselves running matienance on their new gear and old. They await Xerxes return, so as to accompany him into the battlezone. Chameoline stealth cloaks are stretched on the deck, detailed checks for tears, rips and defects being performed by a trooper while several others break down, chant, oil and attend their lasguns, fresh from the planet. Each trooper is dressed in grey, flak vests, forearm, knee, and shin guardson, their helmets all nearby. Riding on each's right hip is their autopistols, their combat knives close by them. a series of short chainswords are arrayed, sheathed, with their machine spirits placated. They're going in, and they're going to create a body count.

"The Tau are blank and thus resistant to Chaos and its lures. They are also a technologically advanced race, which I have to admit could be quite useful. Finally, if they have to be killed because they know too much, I won't be killing loyal Imperial citizens. It is unfortunate we don't have a member of the Ordo Xenos with us. An expert on the Tau and Kroot would be quite useful. Although with five years of experience, I suppose that might make our colleague-" a nod to Pater, "much more expert than some of Ordo Xenos colleagues."

"As to the other concern you raised, Arbitor, consider this... if the local nobility is corrupted, it will likely come to battle with their various household guards. Committing a Guard regiment to such action would divert them from cleansing the underhives, whereas the Arbites are well-suited to such action. So you likely will see your share of battle."

He'd come to like Xerxes, as much as he could like anyone. A fellow doctrinaire who held to a strict view of orthodoxy, with a commendable lust to spill the blood of the enemies of the Emperor. Prius looked forward to working with him further.