The post mission briefing was held in Vail's Office.
Vail and I were both staring at my pistol, currently unloaded on her desk as well as longingly shooting glances at an unfortunately empty bottle of amasec.
"Bud you gotta explain to me just how the hell you made a two hundred and thirty grain hollow pointunmakea daemon." I spoke, the words leaving my mouth in an exasperated sigh. I was growing numb to the anomalous occurrences around the machines around me, seeing as my pistol's safety clicking Morse Code at me hardly fazed me.
"Duty done. End." Vail translates, her face in her hands. The pistol ceases its movement and I sigh as I put it back into my holster.
"Well you're damn good at your job, bud…" I mutter as a servant enters with fresh bottles of Amasec. Vail snatches one and takes a heavy pull before slamming it down on her desk.
"David." Ah sh*t here we go. "If it wasn't for the increasing number of valuable assets you keepsh*ttingout, I wouldthrow you for a loop, as they say in Footfall." Oh good, Vail's been to the Koronus Expanse.
"Look, this is way beyond what I thought was possible, a'ight?" I sighed out, collapsing into my own chair.
"You have a pocket Grey Knight, David!"
"Vete la verga, I know, Amberley!" I snapped, using her own first name, "I know. And I am sorry, okay?! I'm just riding the wave here, Amberley. I'm doing what I can tohelp,dangummit.Do you know what we just did on Graia, Amberley? We just headed off a Chaos incursion that would cripple Graian Titan production well into the 42nd millenium. There's still an Ork WAAAGH that's going to come through in the latter portion of this millenium but for the love of God we did it."
"David, I am not trying to ignore our accomplishment on Graia, I'm trying to address potential issues before they become a target onyourback." Vail speaks, leaning forward and poking me in my chest. "You are young, you haven't seen the horrors that we have to face. I saw your reaction to the servitors, I've watched you put on this mask of this flippant craftsman but I am an Inquisitor, David. I see the pain in your eyes. The guilt. The fear. I didn't want to send you out to war this soon. I wished to spare you this. To delay your exposure at least until I could guarantee some measure of safety. But youdestroyeda Daemon, David." Vail speaks, face softening, her tone more an exasperated teacher than disciplinarian.
"You yourself said that you wanted to keep a low profile, yet you stir our comrades into a pseudo-crusade. You set off a bright whitenukein the warp, David. Rakel's been whispering about how 'The Way' has awoken. Something in the Warp is watchingyou, David, and I am trying to figure out a way to keep you alive."
"I'm not trying to kill myself, Amberley." I replied softly, and she nodded.
"I know that, but you are my Apprentice, David. My responsibility is to teach you of the dangers you're to face in my service. To protect you until you are capable of protecting yourself against whatever dangers this galaxy may raise against you. If I'm going to be stuck with you for the next three centuries, I may as well make something useful out of you." she speaks, leaning back to relax in her chair. I swear I can actually see a small measure of fondness in her eyes.
"When did I become your Apprentice? I'd be a sh*t Inquisitor." I shot back at her, an eyebrow raised in question.
"Just now, actually. And yes, you would be, hence why you're going to learn. We have a few hundred years, you'll probably shape up to a proper Inquisitor by the second century of service or so."
"Can I talk my way out of this?"
"No, I think this is an appropriate punishment for giving me so much work to deal with, Interrogator. You're dismissed."
Well sh*t.
--------------------------------
A few hours later I was summoned to the bridge of the Foedus, which I should've taken as a sign. The debriefing was done, I was supposed to have the rest of the night to recover and rest. Yet a servo-skull entered my room with the summons and escorted me there. I saw Vail, Orelius, Yanbel, and Venters all there, waiting and watching me approach. Why, I didn't know until I found myself being lifted from behind, massive hands under my arms as a dulcet voice, decidedly feminine, echoes through the Bridge.
"This…is my mortal. He is a foolish, scrawny thing, but he is mine." The voice spoke, and I felt myself stiffen. No. no. not this sh*t. I do not need this kind of drama.
"Please tell me this isn't what I think they are." I whimper, even as I'm physically turned in what could only be the Custodian's arms. They were nine and a half feet tall, clad in gilded armor, yet their arms were bare, as was their midriff. Their helmet was open faced, and a soft cheeked, dark haired, green eyed face locked eyes with me and shot me a wicked grin. A scar from the claw of some beast cut across the right side of what was obviouslyhercheek under her eye. Other scars marked her arms and legs, but her pauldrons clearly displayed the golden Aquilla. What kind of Tzeenchian f*ckery was this?!
"Oh? What's wrong, little mortal? Did you not think that the Emperor would take measures to protect his investment? Did you not think yourself worthy of such measures despite our Lord speaking to you directly?" She spoke, voice teasing. I can see the muscles under her skin pulsating, throbbing with barely restrained power. Yet my main concern rips itself from my throat.
"Aren't Custodians the chosen firstbornsonsof Terran nobility?" My voice is barely a squeak, as I'm currently shaking whilst being hoisted in the air like a puppy being baby-talked by it's new human.
"Oh my poor misinformedlittlemortal principal. There havealwaysbeen female custodians." She speaks, and her voice rattles my bones. She settles me on the ground and pats my head like a child. "I will be your shadow. But be warned: I am under orders only to interfere whenabsolutely necessary. The Emperor expects you to grow of your own merit, not ride on my coattails. My name is Raya, and you, David James Foothill, aremine"no no no not dealing with Yandere Custodian "to protect."not helping!
"She arrived while we were still on the planet. Ordered the crew to stay quiet about her presence until the opportune moment arrived." Vail spoke, exasperation in her voice. I slowly turned to glare at her.
"AnAquillanf*ckingShield,Amberley!"
"Iknow,David. I know."
"I find your exasperation amusing."
