[You stood there motionless, your expression carefully neutral. A long sigh escaped your lips despite your best efforts to contain it.]
[The pieces had been falling into place throughout your investigation. After witnessing the planetary governor willingly risk offending an Inquisitor, after seeing the harsh conditions of the Seekers of Truth' Chapter station and observing how the battle-brothers accepted such austere circumstances without complaint, you had begun forming theories.]
[You had vaguely guessed why they refused to answer the Inquisition's summons.]
["I considered explaining to you the difficult situation facing the Imperium of Man in this cold universe," you began, your voice measured and thoughtful. "But then I realized something. You, who have fought for the Inquisition and the Emperor for countless years, understand this situation far better than I ever could."]
[You widened your perpetually tired eyes slightly, fixing your gaze on the impassive face of Chapter Master Gallus.]
["The fact that you still chose this path of refusal, despite understanding all the consequences, proves you have reached a certain breaking point. A limit that cannot be crossed again."]
[Your words fell into the quiet chamber like stones dropping into still water.]
["Respected Chapter Master Gallus, I will submit an investigation report to the Inquisition in my capacity as an official Inquisitor." You drew breath, committing yourself fully to this course. "The report will state that the Seekers of Truth suffered catastrophic losses due to repeated Genestealer cult invasions on their planetary base."]
[You paused, ensuring he understood completely.]
["This ongoing threat is why they were unable to comply with the Inquisition's repeated summons. After conducting a thorough investigation, this Inquisitor found no evidence of heresy within the Chapter's ranks or practices."]
[Your silver skull caught the light as you tilted your head slightly.]
["This represents everything I can personally accomplish. As for future summons or investigations from the Inquisition beyond my authority, I regret that I cannot provide additional protection."]
[Chapter Master Gallus drove his Terminator armor forward, servos whining with the movement. His narrow eyes fixed on you with an intensity that seemed to pierce straight through to your core.]
["Respected Inquisitor Steelhead," he said, his tone carrying profound solemnity, "every Astartes of the Seekers of Truth will remember your assistance. We will never forget this kindness you have shown us."]
[You shook your silver-covered head slightly, the gesture dismissive of thanks.]
[You engaged in extensive discussions with Chapter Master Gallus over the following hours, covering topics ranging from Chapter operations to broader Imperial politics. The conversation flowed with surprising ease.]
[You unexpectedly gained deep friendship from the Seekers of Truth, something that transcended mere professional courtesy.]
[You temporarily established residence at their Chapter station, leading your Ogryn squad to quarters provided with genuine hospitality.]
[Soon after settling in, with assistance from the hive city's governor and the cooperation of local astropaths, you transmitted your final investigation report to the Inquisition. The psychic message launched into the warp, carrying your carefully constructed narrative across the stars.]
[During the second month of your extended stay, your relationship with the Seekers of Truth' Astartes deepened considerably.]
[You even accompanied them on expeditions deeper into the hive's most dangerous levels, hunting the terrifying creatures that lurked in perpetual darkness. The missions proved both educational and exhilarating.]
[The outdated power armor you'd worn upon arrival received significant upgrades. The Chapter's tech-sergeants labored with considerable effort to enhance its capabilities, their dedication evident in every modification.]
[Though your physical capabilities remained inferior to those of the Astartes, your armor's upgraded functions now far exceeded standard-issue equipment. The difference was remarkable.]
[Even your deputy, Chunkus, received recognition. The Captain of the Chapter's First Company personally gifted him an exceptionally heavy two-handed power hammer. The Ogryn had been ecstatic, carrying the weapon everywhere with childlike pride.]
[You began to believe that all troubles would gradually subside, that everything would settle into peaceful routine.]
[Then the captain of the Cobra-class destroyer, which had remained in planetary orbit throughout your investigation, sent you a private communication. The message's urgent priority rating immediately set alarm bells ringing.]
[A female Inquisitor from the Ordo Malleus had accidentally discovered traces of daemonic presence within one of the industrial planet's hive cities.]
[More critically, the source of this corruption apparently traced back to the hive's lower levels. Specifically, to the location occupied by the Seekers of Truth' Chapter station.]
[Faced with such grave news, you experienced no hesitation whatsoever.]
[You immediately concealed this development from the Seekers of Truth and ordered the Cobra-class destroyer's captain to conduct intergalactic astropathic communication.]
[A squad of Battle Sisters from the Order of the Bloody Rose, affiliated with the Convent Sanctorum, would obey your direct commands. They would arrive at this industrial planet in the near future, becoming powerful reinforcements for your investigation.]
[After careful analysis of the situation's complexity, you intervened to stop the female Inquisitor from rashly confronting the Chapter directly with accusations.]
[Instead, you personally gathered the extensive evidence of daemonic presence this troublesome female Inquisitor had discovered. The traces were undeniable, professionally documented.]
[You brought everything to Chapter Master Gallus, who was occupied with routine Chapter administration in his command chamber.]
[You explained the severity of the situation with complete transparency. You spoke bluntly, holding nothing back.]
[You acknowledged that while you might tolerate minor deviations or personal thoughts within a Chapter, matters involving Chaos corruption and threats to an entire industrial planet crossed every possible line.]
[You expressed sincere hope that the Seekers of Truth would understand your position as an Inquisitor and cooperate fully with your investigation.]
[The expressionless Chapter Master Gallus showed no anger at your words. His weathered face remained calm, considering the implications.]
[On the contrary, after careful deliberation, he assigned nine of his personal guard, elite Astartes battle-brothers, to serve as your protection detail and assist in tracking down the source of Chaos contamination.]
[You immediately mobilized this Astartes guard force along with your Ogryn squad, which had performed admirably during recent operations. Together, you began meticulously exploring every section of the Chapter station.]
[At the extreme edge of the Chapter base, in areas rarely visited, you discovered something chilling.]
[Traces of Chaos rituals lay partially concealed in shadowed alcoves. The evidence showed evil sacrifices conducted using flesh and blood harvested from hive creatures and mutants. Dried blood stained ancient stone, forming patterns that hurt to look at directly.]
[The gravity of the situation crashed down on you with full force.]
[Just as you prepared to invoke Chapter Master Gallus's authority to screen every Astartes in the Chapter individually, searching for the corruption's source, new complications emerged.]
[The Seekers of Truth received an urgent warning from the planetary governor.]
[A local defense force garrison had inexplicably lost control. In their madness or corruption, they had severed the massive transport elevator connecting the upper and lower hive sections.]
[In practical terms, the only viable method of leaving the hive city had been completely eliminated.]
[Before you could convene with Chapter Master Gallus to discuss this alarming development and formulate response plans, your vox-unit crackled with incoming communication.]
[A private transmission from female Inquisitor arrived, her voice sharp with accusation.]
[She directly accused you of sympathizing with the Seekers of Truth despite their obvious involvement with daemonic forces.]
[If her suspicions proved correct, she continued with barely restrained venom, then the most likely explanation was that you yourself had been corrupted. Perhaps the daemon corruption had been orchestrated jointly by you and the compromised Chapter.]
[In conclusion, your shameful behavior would face formal impeachment proceedings before the Inquisition. You would likely be stripped of your Inquisitor status, losing all authority. Additionally, you would forfeit command over the Battle Sisters squad currently en route to the planet.]
[You drew a sudden, sharp breath. The sound hissed through clenched teeth.]
[You found yourself completely amused by her shameless words and transparent behavior. The audacity was almost impressive.]
[However, just as you prepared to engage in heated argument with the female Inquisitor, something stopped you cold.]
[A memory surfaced from the depths of your mind, something your subconscious had been trying to flag. The realization struck you like a bolt shell to the chest.]
[Cold sweat broke out across your skin, soaking into the bodyglove beneath your armor.]
["Amara," you spoke slowly, your voice dropping to something dangerous, "you were that Inquisitor from the Ordo Malleus who boarded the destroyer to catch favorable warp currents, weren't you?"]
[Your mind raced through the logic, pieces clicking together with terrible clarity.]
["Only three individuals knew that I contacted the Battle Sisters for reinforcement. Myself. The captain of the Cobra-class destroyer. And the astropath responsible for transmitting the communication."]
[You continued speaking, your words picking up speed as certainty crystallized.]
["The astropath would pay you absolutely no attention and would never involve themselves in internal Inquisitorial politics. The captain himself is not someone who betrays confidences, especially regarding matters of such gravity. Not to mention the personal relationship between myself and him as fellow servants of the Emperor."]
[The silence on the vox stretched for several heartbeats. You could hear your own pulse pounding in your ears.]
["Amara, please tell me something." Your voice had gone perfectly flat, emptied of all emotion. "How exactly did you learn that Battle Sisters were about to arrive? How did an Inquisitor of the Ordo Malleus gain access to internal orders of the Ordo Hereticus?"]
[You paused, letting the implications hang in the air like a drawn blade.]
["Who are you? Or perhaps I should ask a different question entirely."]
[Your mechanical hand tightened around your bolt pistol's grip until the metal creaked.]
["What do you want?"]
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