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Thanks knightely. I'm glad you approve.

WELL DONE ICE!!! IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!!!!

Hopefully it was worth the wait Azalle.

Most Definitely!

In the distance Garden could hear muffled sounds of weapons fire. He had assumed Spire and the remaining Clishmacleaver were sweeping the manor. Onyx had not said anything or given any indication that she wanted to leave the garden area so he stood quietly by the entrance watching, and listening.

Onyx sat in one of the recliners drinking her tea and admiring the scene. The blackened tower was a skeleton of deteriorating matter. The wind seemed to be stripping it of any remaining integrity and despite the swarm of emergency vehicles and clouds of blinking lights, Garden could not image anything surviving.

Kelvik paced the room, his face was an ever shifting pattern of emotions. He would show signs of despair as he looked at the tower. Anger would swell up through his body when he looked at Onyx. Dread would shadow his face when he glanced at Garden. Garden, on multiple occasions, thought he would have to shoot Kelvik, but each time Kelvik would stop himself.

Eventually Onyx finished her tea and stood up.

“Before we continue Kelvik, I must say, this tea is truly one of the best I have ever experienced.”

Kelvik looked perplexed, “thank you?” he cautiously responded.

Onyx looked off to the distance before taking a deep breath and returning to the moment. “Now Kelvik, I have to ask an important question and I want you to be completely honest with me,” she hesitated to gather her thoughts, “where is the token?”

He narrowed his eyes and tiled his head, “the what?”

“You most likely call it something else, but it is typically a small item that you must be holding in order to communicate with your xenos master.” Onyx continued. Garden saw a hint of understanding cross Kelviks face before his entire body tensed up.

“I have no idea what you are talking about,” he began while Onyx rolled her eyes.

“By the Emperor how cross do you think I am?” She shook her head. “Kelvik, I will only ask this once. Where is it?”

Garden was standing well behind her when she said it but he could tell by Kelviks body language that she was giving him the same stare he had seen her give Mithril earlier. Kelvik, however, did not give in.

“I do not know what you are talking about,” he responded through narrowed eyes.

Onyx smacked her lips in response then chuckled, “very well.” She turned to the small bar area.

“I am having more tea then. My associates will get what they need from you soon enough.” She smiled and hummed to herself as she poured another cup.

Kelvik looked around as his mind raced. Garden continued his vigilant watch as a trio of vessels crested a nearby mountain and began their decent to the House of Jevnibaum.

Yaaaaay!

So, this comms device, I imagine its the hollowed out skull of a psyker or some thing as equally grimdark

Its great to get some of your great fluff Ice!

Love the addition Ice!

I agree with knightley, can't wait to see what the "token" actually is!

The arrival of Nefas was just as Garden always imagined any one from the Inquisition would arrive. It was sudden, without any announcement or greetings, and within minutes someone was dead.

Garden had watched from the corner as Nefas walked directly up to Kelvik, grabbed his head in both hands and mentally extracted what he needed from Kelvik. The anguish that Kelvik expressed was not only heard but felt. Moments before his brain liquefied waves of emotion seemed to pulse outward from the screaming man. A strong stench from the vile liquid and the burnt flesh filled the room, easily over powering the smells of flowers and tea. When the body finally tumbled to the floor, Nefas marveled at the exotic garden around him as if he just realized he was in it.

When Nefas turned, he regarded Garden for the first time in what seemed like years.

“Inushi, please remove your veil. Your guise will no longer be needed.” He hissed.

Inushi could not help but notice the energy in his voice. There was a small smile hidden in the corners of his pale face. Nefas seemed elated, almost….. excited, in a dark sickly sort of way.

Inushi always wondered what Nefas would be like with any other expression other then the dour demeanor he typically had, but sensing this change in Nefas only made Inushi feel………uncomfortable.

YES THE RETURN OF INUSHI!

Cant wait to see what ruckus is about to be caused!

Ooooh some gak went down with Nefas, that mofo can't be trusted yo, mark my words!

Totally agree Knightley!

I do not know where you get these crazy ideas. Nefas seems like a very pleasant character with everyone's best intentions in mind......


Right?

Gah you got me again, here I was opening up the tab expecting fluff and all I got was dissapointment

But yes, Nefas has everyone's intentions in mind

Noooooooo, you posted and it was just to toy with our hearts and minds!

And yeah... Nefas is a good guy... just like Anakin...

Inushi, Nefas, Jaska, and a handful of Clishmacleaver traveled through the Manor of House Jevnibaum. On several occasions Inushi saw other members handling other tasks within the manor, the chatter that he had grasped while passing by was that this building was going to share a similar fate to that of the tower.

Eventually the party arrived in another vast gaudy chamber full of plush couches, jeweled chandeliers and all manner of gold encrusted finery. Book shelves lined the walls and small stages sat between couches. Gold poles ran up to the ceiling from each of the stages. In the center of the room was a twenty foot tall statue of the Emperor. His cloak was over one shoulder. His eyes looked out in to the distance, his hand rested on the hilt of a sheathed sword.

It was marvelously crafted and amazingly intricate. Inushi was taken back by the beauty of the statue. It was not at all what he had expected, yet he did not know what to expect. The Clishmacleaver spread out through the room. Jaska kept close to Inushi as the two of them stopped in the center isle of the room ten feet away from the statue. Nefas walked up to the black marbled plinth that the statue stood on. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

Minutes passed before Nefas spoke but when he did the commands were sharp and precise. Secret levers were pulled and hidden buttons pressed throughout the room. The process would have taken one person easily ten minutes, under the command of Nefas with a room of soldier elite, it took seconds.

Finally Nefas stepped forward to a compartment that opened within the plinth. The bulk of Nefas, in his red armor, kept Inushi from seeing what lay inside but slowly he pulled out a human skull.

He lifted an eye brow before dropping it to the floor. The fragile item cracked into several pieces.

He then reached back inside to retrieve a tarnished yellow box. Nefas held the item carefully in both hands close to his face. He gingerly inspected the item before setting it on the top of the plinth between the Emperors feet. Inushi could see countless runes on the surface of the box that varied in size and color. None of them looked familiar to him.

Nefas removed his gauntlets before holding it once again. He spread his fingers out across the box before turning to Jaska, “prepare yourself.”

“We will not be surprised again,” Jaska vowed. He removed his plasma pistol from its holster and aimed it in the general direction of the box.

Inushi felt lost, but inclined to do the same. He did not have the veil on but he was still carrying Nelson on his shoulders and a heavy bolter on his arm. He cycled up the weapon. Around the room, others did the same.

Nefas applied pressure in a certain order over the runes while rotating the box. When he was done he placed it back on the plinth and stood back.

The runes glowed, the room dimmed, Inushi felt as if he was moving but none of his senses agreed with him. Suddenly the feelings stopped and there was a clap as if someone had snapped there fingers very loudly. The snap lingered much longer that a single sound ever should.

The statue and the adjacent furniture were now being overlapped by another image, almost like a hologram. Inushi struggled to understand what he was seeing but his vision was seeing both the room he was standing in, and another one. When he concentrated on the statue it would come into focus but when he concentrated on the new items they would become just as clear as the room around him.

In the few seconds he took to understand the system he sorted out that they were looking at a room with a window over looking a vast display of space vessels, all of Eldar design. Inushi tingled at the sight; he felt his body begin to respond, but he prevented any combat drugs or extra stimuli to enter his system until he learned more.

He concentrated on the ships, attempting to obtain as much information as possible when a voice spoke through the image.

“You stupid monkeigh! How dare you,” he paused as a new figure entered into the scene.

The tall male Eldar wore a mask of some woven material. His chest was covered with a light armor that looked similar to leather. His arms were bare except for some bracelets and tattoos that writhed beneath his skin. A pair of hilts crested his shoulders while a single pistol sat low on his left hip. The Eldar began to chuckle as he stood in the center of the display.

He nodded his head and sighed while trying to control his anger, “so we meet again Nefas Sinnafen. You are truly beginning to aggravate me.”

Teleportation! god that was awesome, you had me glued to the screen with that one I didn't fully grasp what was happening till the two places were inter-lapping.

I'm hoping for a fight and I suspect the next passage we might get one

Well done Ice Well Done! Can't wait to see what happens next!

Excellent reaction, but one that surprises me slightly. Neither one of you mentioned that I put in the skull of a dead psyker in there. That was just for you!

I missed that, the description was just a human skull so I figured it was a powered down servo skull or something.

Good to note you're thinking of your readers with little easter eggs, this thrills me greatly

“Your scheme has once again failed Scuvven,” Nefas spoke after a moment of silence.

The masked xenos raised a finger,”correction, a small part of my scheme has failed. You see, my dimwitted adversary, after you ruined my last plan I learned a valuable lesson. I believe your people call it, a back up plan.” His voice rose slightly, Inushi could hear the smile in his voice. “For being a young race of xenophobic idiots, you do have at least some worthwhile thoughts.”

Nefas narrowed his eyes and kept his mouth shut. Inushi could feel the hair on his neck begin to rise. Psychic energy was building within the room. He took a moment to examine Nefas before returning his attention to the xenos.

“Scuvven, I know your mirror ship lurks nearby. Open it up and I’ll give you some more worthwhile thoughts,” Nefas paused while his hands begin to glow with red energy, “in person.”

Scuvven gave a light hearted chuckle, his eyes narrowed in his mask, suddenly he turned to look at someone Inushi couldn’t see. “Activate the Ceaseless End. Send word to my mirror ship.” He looked back to Nefas. “The one above Mortimon Secondus. I believe that is what you call it.”

The red energy emanating from Nefas ebbed for a moment. Mortimon Secondus was the planet Razzik and the 10th company were sent too. They had no fleet support. Inushi silently prayed for the Ice Angels on that doomed planet.

“You know Nefas, you are more then welcome to join us. Most of the fun will be over by the time you get there, but I would greatly enjoy meeting you in person.” He sneered.

Behind him in the well lit cavern full of vessels, blackness began to spread around a glowing jewel. It looked as though oil was creating a sheet of nothingness.

“Oh and Nefas, if you see that traitorous cousin of mine, tell her her time is coming. She has caused more then enough trouble.” The double image of the other room began to wrinkle at the edges and shrink. Scuvven chortled, “not that she has done you any good either.”

Seconds before the image was done shrinking, a shout from Scuvven boomed, “Sound the horns, LET THE RAID BEGIN!”

With a snap the image was gone and the box shut itself.

Doh, not a teleporter, it was an overpriced iPhone and the newest version of iTalk.

Still this is good build up, linking the two story arcs together, perhaps the next passage will be with Razzik?

I too thought it was an old servo skull but i still loved the description! and that second passage was excellent!

Quick Correction for:

"For being a young raise of xenophobic idiots" (which by the way is my favorite part!)

I believe it should be race?

And I can't wait to see how the Ice Angels handle their... party crashers...

Thanks for the grammatical spot there Azalle. I have corrected it along with another one that I found.

Razzik will be coming up in the near future, but first.....

Someone post something so I can put up more fluff!

Posted. And I *finally* have been catching up. on pg 49 at the moment.

Great stuff Ice... really enjoying it!

A flurry of hissed commands and a torrent of activity quickly followed the end of their conversation. Within minutes Nefas and his entire entourage were on ships heading back out into space. Word had been sent, the fleet was already moving to jump into the warp. In his mind Inushi could already see the black Ice Angel vessels breaking formation to begin their voyage to aid their captain.

Once they were out of the atmosphere Temple and Manor began to take apart the servitor and weapon system that had been attached to him. The three of them were in a separate compartment within the valkyrie directly behind the cockpit. With a slow hiss the doors from the cargo hold opened. Nefas stepped in and waited for the doors to slid shut. Temple and Manor were just removing the heavy bolter when Nefas moved to stand face to face with Inushi. The red eyes of the marine were piercing. His gaunt face was blank except for a slight hint of annoyance.

Inushi studied Nefas closely. In just a short amount of time his opinion had changed about Nefas. He disliked the marine but he had a new found respect. Many of the previous decisions made by the Inquisitor were beginning to fall into place, yet Inushi still had a few lingering questions.

“Leave us,” Nefas hissed.

Temple and Manor set down their tools just before they were about to remove Nelson from Inushi’s shoulders. Nefas sighed and with it the weight of duty was almost visible upon his armored shoulders. For another minute they stared at one another after the two Clishmacleaver had left.

“What are your thoughts on my minions, Inushi?” Nefas eventually asked.

“Efficient, brutal, perfect for what you need them to do,” Inushi responded while thinking about all the people they killed in the process.
Nefas cocked his head, “you do not approve?”
“It is not the kind of fighting a Mantis Warrior is bred for,” Inushi added.

“Ah,” Nefas studied Inushi again, “what is on your mind Inushi?”

“How long have you been chasing Scuvven?” Inushi began without hesitiation.

“Seventeen years,” Nefas responded.
“How many times have you stopped him?”
“Twice,”

Inushi paused to consider his next question, “Who is this cousin he spoke of?”

Nefas raised one eye brow, “an Eldar that despises him more then I do. She has been feeding me information nearly this entire time. Without her, none of this would have been stopped.”

Inushi suddenly felt incredibly uncomfortable. Dealing with a xenos in that manner was against nearly every fiber of his being. That is breaking one of the codes of the Imperium. Inushi suddenly stopped himself from dwelling on it when a more pertinent thought came into his head.

“Why the sudden candor Nefas?”

A small smile appeared on the Inquisitors white lips, almost as if he was proud of Inushi for realizing the magnitude of his situation.

“Because I have to kill you Inushi.” Nefas added.

Couple of things...

First... it's good to be caught up again.

Second... is Nefas an inquisitor or a marine? I'm confused.

Third... Razzik is boned.

Fourth... I think I need to make an Inushi the servitor model.

Fifth... 2 out of 17 successes stopping the Xeno? Pretty poor. Perhaps Nefas should consider another profession?

Sixth... It's all pure genius!

 Gitsplitta wrote:
Couple of things...

First... it's good to be caught up again.

Second... is Nefas an inquisitor or a marine? I'm confused.

Third... Razzik is boned.

Fourth... I think I need to make an Inushi the servitor model.

Fifth... 2 out of 17 successes stopping the Xeno? Pretty poor. Perhaps Nefas should consider another profession?

Sixth... It's all pure genius!

HA!
First: Indeed it is!
Second: Nefas is a space marine and an Inquisitor. I can't get in too to many details on that one yet though, just go with it.
Third: Yes
Fourth: I completely agree.
Fifth: He has been chasing him for 17 years, there haven't been 17 opportunities to stop him.
Sixth: Thank you sir, very kind.

For someone who has just read through most of this all at once, how did it all work together? Reading and writing this in chunks can sometimes lead to some continuity issues. I am really trying to avoid any of those.

NOOOOO DONT KILL THE MANTIS WARRIOR!!!

WHAT A D-BAG / TYPICAL INQUISITOR....

*takes deep breath*

Now that i've gotten that out... .Well done Ice! Well done indeed

I think it works well, though I think I like it better when you stick with a particular plot line for a longer stretch. I realize you may have to jump back and fourth for a confluence of story lines... but I do enjoy having the time to be with a particular group long enough to gain some insights and learn something new before being whisked away to some other part of the galaxy.

Ho Ho Ho, an inquisitor thinks he can stop a mantis warrior with a heavy bolter strapped to his arm.... my thinks it wont be so easy.

Building and building, I like the way your bringing this together Ice