Sometimes, the stories and fiction behind an army can be just as motivating (maybe more so!) than getting paint onto plastic… As Inquisitor Mikey explains… a guest post.
And now for something completely different. Some fiction for the setting of my Inquisitor’s operations, and a little bit of an insight into Inquisitor Mikey…
I looked around the table. I had chosen a more dark and sombre attire to meet these officials. I also enjoyed the sense of confusion I saw as my clothes were completely at odds with the beaming grin I directed toward the other officials. Around this table sat all the parties calling the shots on this planet, Serenity.
The recent corruption of Haven had thrown the officials on nearby planets into a complete tail spin. One of those planets was Serenity. This small backwater not far from the planet of Haven was a prime agri-world feeding half the segmentum. It’s landmass was 80% gene crops and water silos. The other 20% was civilised hab structures which, like much of the Pakeshi Sector, was awash with buildings designed to Glorify the Emperor. The infighting amongst the noble houses, and indeed the imperial representatives, had reduced the production of this planet drastically… and with the suggestion of a Xenos interest in the sector, the Imperium felt it was best to send someone who would… motivate… the planet to increase it’s supply back to the Astra Militarum. Motivation, thy name Is Mikhail.
I briefly stopped my gaze on each of the individuals at the table. Slowly working my way around and allowing the silence and sense of foreboding to build. No sense in rushing.
The Administratum representative – Saviant DeVrass; a large, sweaty man. Really quite repulsive. His glistening brow was regularly wiped by a young boy, not much past 10 terra years. The fact the boy wore nothing but a loin cloth increased my repulse at this… man. DeVrass was really, REALLY uncomfortable with the idea of an Inquisitor here to discuss what was, effectively, his job. Now THAT I enjoyed.
The Prime Justice of the Arbites – Astrad Simit; a muscled authoritarian that reminded me of the ancient myths of Terran Amazons. She was smiling grimly, unhappy that I had already requisitioned one of her best officers (a truly talented young man, expertise in riot control)… but she was equally glad to have someone here to sort out the mess. Bored and un-engaged workers were more prone to drinking the local rot-gut and starting fights. She was losing officers for each week this situation continued – no fatalities yet, but officers out with injuries. She also avoided looking at any of the other members at the table, and when she did so – she scowled.
The local PDF commander – Lord Commandant of the First Order, Serenity Military Overlord, and Hero of Zabrascas, Odelt DeLark; a truly pretentious, self-absorbed and ingratiating individual… as if the titles hadn’t given it away. He was smiling smugly. He obviously thought he was above reproach.
The Mechanicus representative – Arch Magos something something. Look in all honesty, he just sat there impassively, and I really didn’t even talk to him. Besides. I had no issue with the Mechanicus and they were irrelevant to this endeavour.
And lastly, Baron Ursuel Strativasdos. The supreme Arch-Dominant of Serenity. Also the Ecclesiarchy representative. An interesting position that outside of the Pakeshi Sector would have been unusual. A wiry, bald man; probably would have been about 180 in Terran years? He had steely control of the other members of this group. Except maybe Simit. And the Arch Magos. Obviously. Strativasdos sat, staring me down.
Evidently thinking I would blink first.
“So good peoples of Serenity” I started. “As you are no doubt aware, Terra has requested I come and… hang out… for a bit. The Administratum has some grave concerns about the productio…”
“But I have heard nothing of this!” DeVrass ranted. I’m sorry, but there was no other word for the vehemence he attacked this sentence with.
I smiled broadly again at him, and cheerfully stated “I have the power of the Imperium at my hand, Saviant. I have saved more planets than you have had baths, and ordered Exterminatus on just as many. If you interrupt me again, I will shoot you in the head.” He paled. I actually quite liked that. Simit smiled a little. I decided I quite liked her too.
“As I was saying” I continued, “This infighting is really quite disturbing. I truly believe, with honest and directed communication, everybody in the universe can get along!” I finished with a grand sweep of my arms.
“Except the Xenos, Inquisitor Mikhail” Brother Galdius of the Deathwatch stated from my right shoulder.
I sighed. “Well obviously. Suffer not the alien to live”.
“Or the Heretic, Mikhail” added Brother Grimadian, from my other shoulder.
I rubbed my temples with my fingers. “Obviously Svent. Burn the Heretic”.
I looked back up at the table, my grin returning. “Everybody in the universe. Except the Xenos and the Heretic. So, what I would like to do at this point, is to…”
“I demand to see the orders you supposedly…” the chair behind DeVrass’ head exploded as the bolt entered the middle of his forehead and detonated within, what I like to consider, the empty space between his ears. Simit recoiled… then smiled grimly. DeLark paled, then threw up over the arm of his chair. The Arch Magos sat and did… well… nothing. It was really quite disappointing. Strativasdos looked shocked at the casual way in which I holstered my master crafted ornate bolt pistol – one of the advantages of having Vostroyans in my retinue, they make lovely weapons – and as I looked at him I noticed the fear in his eyes.
I don’t blink.