Silver Skulls: Portents

by S P Cawkwell

  ‘Designation?’ Argentius leaned forward and considered the planet thoughtfully. ‘What is its role?’

  ‘Valoria Quintus is mostly industrial,’ she replied. ‘Terrain and atmospherics are better suited to sprawl-cities than hives, but there are one or two habitation stacks on its surface. For now, focus your attention on Valoris City here, in the south. It has always been a difficult zone. The inhabitants are notoriously independent. Fifteen years ago, Valoris was surrendered into the joint care of Governor Anatolus Gryce and his wife, Sinnaria.’

  ‘Joint governorship? Unusual.’ The Chapter Master studied the hololith without further comment.

  ‘Yes, my lord. They were both young, but eminently capable. His devotion to the Golden Throne and his deeds in the service of the Imperium marked him as suitable for the position. His wife is a natural diplomat and their leadership has led Valoris out of a state of civil war and into a far more profitable and habitable state. Their rule has gone well…’

  ‘So well that there is another alleged insurrection?’ Kerelan had moved forward to study the hololith and interrupted the inquisitor’s explanation. ‘That does not translate as “well” under my understanding of language, Inquisitor Callis.’

  The psyker at the inquisitor’s side leaned forward and spoke in a mild tone. ‘I would suggest that you learn to hold your tongue, first captain,’ said Nathaniel. ‘Remember to whom you are speaking.’

  Kerelan let out a snort of derision and stepped back again, but did not comment further. Callis smiled slightly and without turning to look at the psyker, pushed him back into his seat. There was such control implicit in the action that it stalled the harsh retort on Argentius’s tongue.

  ‘The first captain is right, Nathaniel,’ she said. ‘Perhaps the truth of the matter is that we extended the governors of this world too much freedom and allowed things to get out of control. Say then, that the fault is ours. It is not an alleged uprising. It is an uprising.’

  ‘Explain further.’ Argentius had not appreciated the psyker’s tone and his impatience told in the clipped response.

  ‘Let me elaborate, if I may,’ she replied, and rose gracefully to her feet. She paced the length of the table and every pair of eyes in the room followed her. She stopped at the far end and spoke without turning.

  ‘The Imperium is an administrative nightmare, Chapter Master,’ she replied. ‘So many planets, so many citizens, so many wars. It is difficult to hold all of the leashes at any one time. Occasionally, something pressing captures the attention of those at a more… senior level.’ She turned to look down the length of the table.

  ‘Valoris was prospering,’ she said, and her voice was quiet. ‘The tithe was regular and reports were satisfactory. Governor Gryce was a superb administrator. Arrogant, certainly, but that was only to be expected. His wife ran the settlement alongside him, an effective behind-the-scenes administrator to his charm and presence. And eyes turned away from them for a while. I suspect they enjoyed the taste of autonomy.’ She looked at the Chapter Master. ‘You can see where this is going, I’m sure.’

  ‘A few months ago, a representative of the Ecclesiarchy was bound for Valoris Hive.’ De Corso picked up the story from the inquisitor with such ease that none of the Adeptus Astartes present had any doubt that they had long rehearsed how they were going to present this information. ‘He never arrived. His shuttle was shot down during its descent.’

  Kerelan scowled, a fearsome expression on his skull face. ‘They murdered a member of the Ecclesiarchy in cold blood? Surely they knew that would provoke a response?’

  ‘Indeed, first captain. Cold blood. The priest and his entourage were lost and the ship that carried them there was told to leave Valoria’s orbit. The Gryce administrators appear to have claimed the world for themselves and the people seem all too keen to follow them.’

  ‘Anatolus Gryce was exemplary in every way,’ said Callis, picking up the story again. ‘His behaviour seems… uncharacteristic. It is the belief of the Inquisition that the Ruinous Powers may have played a hand in this change of attitude. However, we cannot rule out simple sedition.’ She laughed without humour. ‘Although in my experience, sedition is never simple.’

  De Corso spoke up again. ‘The Siculean Sixth regiment of the Imperial Guard – my former regiment, as it happens – have been fighting and holding key points across Valoria. Here, here and… here.’ As he spoke, bright spots glowed on the hololith indicating strategic locations. ‘There are several lines of engagement surrounding Valoris City – I say city, a sprawl of factories and hab blocks is all it is, really. They call it the capital, but it has little to offer those outside its environs.’ He flicked a button on the hololith and changed the angle. ‘They had been managing to keep the worst of the fighting contained.’

  ‘Had been?’ Nicodemus spoke for the first time. ‘You use the past tense.’

  ‘Indeed I do, my lord. Had been. Things are beginning to escalate beyond the control of the Imperial forces on the planet. The rebels have brought in what can best be described as outside help.’

  ‘Outside help that wears the trappings of traitors,’ said Nathaniel in his cool, clipped voice. ‘Traitor Space Marines, to be precise.’

  Argentius nodded slowly. He found that he was not in the slightest bit surprised to discover the hand of Chaos at the heart of such treachery.

  ‘And this is why you seek our assistance?’

  ‘Yes,’ she said, simply. ‘And as the Silver Skulls are the closest Adeptus Astartes home world to my destination, I have come to request your aid.’

  ‘Our efforts to contact the Gryces have repeatedly failed,’ said de Corso, switching off the hololithic display. ‘We have not heard back from them. The time has come to speak to them in person.’ He sighed and took out his packet of lho-sticks absently. He prised one free and rolled it between his fingers. ‘The walls of Valoris City, dull though it may be, are well guarded and well constructed and as such, are the most well defended. The fighting had been at a stalemate until the arrival of the traitors.’

  Argentius’s eyes glittered, betraying nothing of the surge of anger that had bubbled up within him at the mention of the Archenemy. ‘And our part in this?’

  ‘Your Chapter have a good reputation, my lord. As noble warriors and siege breakers. You can provide us with the assistance we need to tear down the walls of Valoris City and then provide Valoria with the strength it needs to drive the shadows from the Emperor’s shining star. And I am sure you can appreciate that such an action would speak well of your Chapter.’ It was more than clear that de Corso felt little fondness for the city.

  More interesting was the fleeting look that he had received from the inquisitor at his final words. Driven to a response, Argentius turned the full force of his own not-inconsiderable charisma on the sniper.

  ‘Tell me, Harild de Corso, do you seek to flatter me with your words? Do you think you can buy the services of my Chapter with flowery speeches and promises of greatness? Services that we would give freely under such circumstances? Because your words suggest that there is something we need to prove in this matter.’

  ‘No, my lord.’ De Corso’s smile was guileless although it wavered slightly as Argentius moved to stand in front of him. The sniper was a tall man but even so, he still barely came up to the Chapter Master’s chest. There was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. The sudden shift in the room’s tension was subtle but felt by all.

  ‘Forgive Captain de Corso, my lord,’ said the inquisitor, rising to her feet. ‘He has a pretty mouth, but a child’s ignorance of dealing with the Adeptus Astartes. We have turned to you because nobody can deal with Traitor Space Marines as well as the Emperor’s Angels.’

  ‘I will commit to nothing without consulting my Prognosticator,’ said Argentius, his eyes never leaving de Corso’s. It brought a certain satisfaction to the Chapter Master that the man lo
oked as though all his confidence had been sapped from him. ‘Vashiro and I will confer on the matter and I will deliver the decision to you in due course.’

  ‘Of course, Chapter Master, but I would beg swiftness. Time is of the essence. I have confidence that you will see reason in this matter.’ She gazed up into Argentius’s face, a face that had been altered and changed by the countless honour tattoos inked across its implacable canvas. He returned her scrutiny with resolute stoicism, giving away nothing. ‘And I am sure that I should have no reason to doubt your loyalty, my lord.’

  The meeting disbanded, the human contingent being led away to quarters where they would be able to eat and rest. Although the fortress-monastery was more suited to the lifestyle of the Space Marines, they ensured such provision was always made for regular humans whose constitutions necessitated sleep and sustenance.

  ‘We cannot allow traitors to bring any Imperial world to ruin.’ The first comment came from Kerelan and it was the precise response that Argentius had expected his fiery first captain to make. There was a special place in Kerelan’s heart reserved for his hatred of those who had fallen to the taint of Chaos. ‘If the inquisitor has proof that this planet is in danger of corruption, then it is our duty as loyal servants to assist in any way we can.’

  ‘I agree,’ replied Argentius. ‘The inquisitor’s trust in our Chapter is something we should not lightly set aside. If our presence on Valoria helps to quash a rebellion, then it will be a worthy goal. The opportunity to cut the threads of some of the fallen would be an additional bonus. My instinct is to accompany the inquisitor.’ He swung his eyes to Vashiro, who had already taken out his tarot wafers from their soft velvet bag at his waist. ‘But instinct counts for nothing if it must stand against the Emperor’s will.’

  Vashiro was holding one of the elegantly designed cards between his long, slender fingers, his face etched in deep concentration. Nicodemus watched eagerly. This was the first time he had been present during a reading given by Vashiro. The Prognosticator’s eyes settled briefly on Nicodemus. The wafer continued to dance between his fingers in occasional flashes. It was a hypnotic motion that none of the others could help but watch. Their collective attentions were riveted on the Prognosticator.

  ‘Tell me, boy. You must have felt the strength of will of that human psyker. What did you think?’ Vashiro’s question was pitched directly at Nicodemus; a shared moment between two men who were linked by the Emperor’s gift.

  ‘Startling,’ said Nicodemus. He was still feeling pride at being invited to speak openly amongst such great men. He had carefully questioned why he had been chosen and had been rewarded with the ego-boosting comment that he had been given a chance because Vashiro had chosen him. Of course, the comment had been followed with the expected caveat that he was to remain silent unless spoken to, but still. Pride. And he had been spoken to.

  ‘I could sense nothing from our visitors beyond surface thoughts. I suspect he was shielding all three of them. He was also… noticeably curious about our practices.’ Argentius nodded. That was something he had observed as well.

  Vashiro began to move the tarot wafers he had placed on the table with nimble dexterity. ‘I would suggest you speak to him of our ways. Of the Prognosticatum and what it stands for. It would not do for people to misunderstand our intentions. You should go and consider the best way to broach the subject.’ It was not exactly a dismissal or a command to proceed to such a questioning there and then, but Nicodemus was no fool. He bowed deeply to his three superiors and took his leave. Kerelan and Argentius moved to stand either side of the table, before Vashiro’s tarot.

  Kerelan’s eyes rose to lock with those of the Chapter Master. Both men were warriors born and the desire to simply gather their forces and move en masse to Valoria to cull a threat of such magnitude was strong. But protocol demanded the intervention of the Prognosticator.

  Vashiro’s fingers reached over and he turned the first of the wafers. Normally he took his readings from the silver runes he favoured. Argentius knew from long association that the tarot was the method Vashiro preferred for more intense decision-making. He didn’t understand why. He had still not understood when Vashiro had once tried to explain it. All Argentius knew was that his every action as Chapter Master was led and guided by the Emperor’s will.

  ‘A presence of Silver Skulls in the region would both show our loyalty to the Golden Throne and satisfy much of the inquisitor’s curiosity,’ said Vashiro quietly as he studied the wafer before him. ‘It has the additional benefit of crushing the rebellion before it can spread to other systems.’

  He turned over more cards, each one flickering into life as he did so, but said nothing. The expression on his heavily tattooed and ageing face was completely inscrutable. Kerelan shifted his weight from one foot to another as he waited. Argentius smiled slightly, willing his first captain to be still.

  ‘In situations where the course of action seems obvious,’ Vashiro said eventually, ‘there is often a subtle undercurrent of danger. Behind the obvious battle, there is something more at work, something beyond our sight.’ He ran a finger along the row of cards. ‘Every way I study this layout, the answer is the same. The obvious reason for attending this planet is there. A display of strength, unity and power that will bring…’

  He frowned, picked up one of the wafers and shook it gently. It flickered and then the symbol fuzzed back into being. He set the wafer down again. ‘It will bring an end to the strife on Valoria, certainly. But this reading is also a warning. That our actions during this campaign will have far further-reaching consequences than we can imagine.’

  ‘In summation?’ Argentius was acutely aware of Kerelan’s impatience.

  ‘My instinct is as yours, Chapter Master.’ Vashiro looked up from his study of the wafers. ‘We must answer this insurrection with the forces at our command. But the Emperor’s will cautions me that there is a great deal at stake.’

  ‘Consequences must always be expected,’ said Kerelan. He didn’t profess to understand the ways of the Prognosticator, but his simplistic viewpoint brought a nod from Vashiro.

  ‘Aye, first captain. They must. But they cannot always be predicted. We should end this threat on Valoria.’ The Prognosticator’s finger tapped another card. ‘This speaks of growth, self-awareness and repairing damage that has long caused problems.’ He looked up at Argentius. ‘An opportunity to forge new bonds, as it were.’

  Argentius’s lips twitched slightly and he smiled briefly. ‘Bonds,’ he repeated thoughtfully. ‘Yes. A great opportunity to forge bonds. Kerelan, by the grace of the Emperor’s will, we will be deploying as soon as we are prepared. I believe that the Talriktug should make the journey with the inquisitor directly as an escort. I will send word to the siege company to set course for Valoria. Take Nicodemus with you. It will give him the opportunity he needs to talk to the human psyker about our Chapter’s beliefs.’

  ‘As my lord commands.’

  ‘First captain, it is the further will of the Emperor that you find and take Sergeant Ur’ten and elements of the Eighth. They have lingered overlong on Varsavia and are ready to return to action. I think that all of you will benefit from the experience.’

  A universal hush fell. The only sound that could be heard was the gentle rustle of the tarot wafers as Vashiro gathered them up and dropped them back into his waist pouch. Finally, Kerelan spoke, directing his question to Vashiro.

  ‘Permission to speak candidly, my lord?’

  ‘Proceed, first captain.’

  Kerelan thought carefully for a moment, putting his words into a sentence that properly conveyed his reaction. ‘I have no wish to question your judgement or, with respect, your sense of humour. But I find myself questioning the wisdom of what you are saying. Do you believe that the enforced proximity that space travel brings is a sensible situation to put Djul and Gileas into?’

  ‘It is an exce
llent situation. It is an opportunity for them to reforge their bonds of brotherhood, first captain,’ replied Argentius smoothly. ‘Can you think of anything else that Vashiro’s words might indicate? If there is any chance that those two are going to mend their ways, it is going to be under the scrutiny of an inquisitor.’

  Kerelan bowed his head and stepped backwards. ‘Then it shall be as you command, Chapter Master,’ he said.

  It had not been hard to locate Gileas. During his tenure at the fortress-monastery, he was usually located on the training levels or, as was the case in this instance, the chapel. Kerelan stood quietly at the back of the vast chamber, waiting for the sergeant to complete his murmured prayers. When he finally rose to his feet, he turned his head slightly.

  ‘Thank you for waiting, first captain,’ he said. He did not look at Kerelan directly, but remained where he was. ‘How may I be of service to you?’

  Kerelan crossed the distance between them. It had been a few months since their bout in the training cages and he noted the subtle changes in the sergeant’s stance. Gileas was wearing the sleeveless surplice that he usually chose to wear when not training and a new tattoo was evident on his arm. Kerelan’s eyes roved across it: a beautifully rendered depiction of the Eighth Company’s war banner, with the company’s motto, vincit qui patitur, inscribed in flowing Gothic script. The new tattoo fully occupied the skin on Gileas’s huge bicep. Kerelan noted that the other warrior was running out of free areas for his honour markings, an indication of just how many battle honours he had to his credit.

  ‘Fine work,’ commented the first captain, indicating the new tattoo. ‘“He conquers who endures”, correct?’

  Gileas gave a curt nod. ‘Ignatius is very talented,’ he replied.

  ‘The Chapter Master’s own tattooist? You are fortunate indeed. He is very selective about whose skin he marks.’

  ‘He considered Captain Meyoran a friend,’ replied Gileas. Ignatius was human; one of only a handful whose ability with body art rendered them suitable for induction into the Custodes Cruor, the Chapter’s artisans. He had long been Lord Commander Argentius’s favourite and rarely worked on other warriors. He was old now, but this did not seem to detract from the quality of his work; it merely meant it took longer. But Kerelan had not come here to admire his handiwork.