Chapter 4
The Omega Nebula. Sarabaric. Omega.
One month later.
In one of Omega's docks, where the various races of the galaxy crowded together, either in a hurry or in conflict with others, Elazar waited for the arrival of a person in whose services he was interested.
Thinking over the plan, the inquisitor came to the conclusion that his group's actions would need to be publicized, which meant he needed someone with the appropriate skills and features to avoid unnecessary situations that would only slow them down and cost extra money and time. And the right person was found quite quickly. She fit all the criteria perfectly and could give what Elazar needed.
A few minutes later, a transport ship designed for civilian transportation appeared at the docks, which were a large space with a lot of docking places, illuminated by scarlet neon spotlights and having a relatively clean environment for Omega. The Inquisitor himself, along with the Sister of Battle, had arrived here on just such a vessel.
Elazar spotted the right person quickly, for as he descended the gangway, his gaze began to run from side to side in search of the Inquisitor. It was a swarthy woman with medium length black hair, dressed in a blue dress with a red stripe inset on it. And behind her back followed a small drone-like camera. After a short while, she saw Elazar and immediately headed towards him.
- You have a rather distinguished outfit. Mr. Preston?
- That's right, Ms. Khalissah. You don't mind if I call you that, do you? - Elazar asked and bowed slightly, to which he received a nod of agreement. "Thank you for accepting my offer and taking the risk to visit such a place.
Khalissah Bint Sinan al-Jilani. This woman works for the Westerland News, and is infamous all over the Extranet for her interviews, their implications, lies and slander. That's to her employer's advantage, though. Elazar learns that Khalissah is going through a bad time right now and is ready to take on any job. A great opportunity and the right "person".
Khalissah herself found Elazar strange. Mostly because of his attire. The symbols with the human skull, and the book shrouded in goals brought back memories from her childhood, when she was still fascinated with the ancient history of mankind.
The man seemed suspicious to her. Not because of behavior or clothing, but because of the way exactly he interacted with her. It was as if her reputation didn't embarrass him in the slightest, only the opposite. So she didn't know what to expect from this part-time job. After-all, Khalissah was used to being treated while working...painfully.
- When I saw the amount you offered, I couldn't refuse," she replied politely enough, "So, what kind of report would you like to do? There's no mention of it in your letter.
- Let's go and talk about it in a more appropriate place. Somewhere where we won't be distracted by extraneous factors.
- Very mysterious... - Khalissah commented and gave Elazar a suspicious look - But come on, credits are credits.
-0-
They were now sitting at a table in a restaurant in a residential area of Omega. It was decorated in a style that was understated and familiar to Khalissah, but with an emphasis on human culture, much like the food on the table in front of her. There were waitresses and waiters walking around, and about half of the seats in the establishment were occupied by customers. Therefore, Khalissah felt somewhat safe, for she would have help if anything happened.
She slowly stabbed the steak with her fork and, placing a piece in her mouth, began to chew it carefully, as well, of course, trying to hide her fear for her life. This certainly did not go unnoticed to the inquisitor, but he chose to do nothing about it, nor did he choose to touch his food. Elazar waited until Khalissah had finished her meal before he began the conversation.
- Shall we get down to business, Ms. Khalissah? - The inquisitor asked, to which he received a nod of agreement - First let me ask, are you happy with your life?
- Why that question? - Khalissah was genuinely perplexed.
- Do you have a dream? What do you want to accomplish in your life?
- I don't see what this has to do with the report and your letter.
- Personal interest. Your reputation and record are quite extraordinary. Provocation, lies and slander are present in every interview you give, followed by insults and even violence. I doubt you find pleasure in receiving pain of any kind, yet for some reason you continue to do all of this. Not that I condemn such hobbies, but I find it interesting.
- Why do I have to answer your question? Are you trying to get me into bed? - Khalissah grinned - You paid me, yes, and a lot, but I'm not a prostitute. Do I need to file a harassment report? I'm sure your acquaintances will be interested to hear about it.
- I understand your reluctance to reveal your life to a stranger," Elazar smiled, "Then let me ask you another question. If you could be someone of real significance instead of a punching bag.
At those words, Khalissah froze, as did the grin on her face, which slowly disappeared, leaving only an impenetrable mask. But the inquisitor saw the flame of interest and some hope flare in her eyes.
- If you would become a voice that would resonate in the hearts of everyone who hears you. Your words would give hope to all who need it, inspire a desire to move on with their lives for themselves and their loved ones. A report, an interview, a radio program, it doesn't matter. You will become an idol that people will take their minds off their own business just to hear you. Doesn't that sound... great?
Khalissah still didn't move. Every word Elazar spoke, like a whisper of warp demons, penetrated her mind and as if an artist was painting a picture. A picture of her becoming someone in need. Where her words and actions are heavenly meaningful. And where... she is valued and loved. The Inquisitor saw this, and his smile became frightening.
- Just imagine, if you get hit, these people will avenge you, pick you up and carry you in their arms to the hospital. If you are insulted, these people will insult the offenders back, comfort you and cheer you up. Don't you want all of that? Don't you want...love?
With every word she heard, Khalissah submitted to Elazar's will. Hundreds of scraps of memories flashed before her eyes, where she had been insulted, beaten and spat upon while screaming in disgust. The picture the inquisitor had painted took over her mind, inspiring a new dream so bright and beautiful.
- Look around you, Miss Khalissah," Elazar said, and she obeyed. Waiters, customers, cooks, the bartender. Each of them looked at her with a kindness and affection that Khalissah had never experienced before - Each of them, including myself, need your voice, your words, your actions, and you personally. That is the job I am offering. To become our voice that reverberates throughout the galaxy. Do you accept this job? The choice is yours.
Thanks to the Phantom, the Inquisitor has this woman's complete file. And one look at Elazar was enough to see what her life was like. She has no friends, no respect, and her parents hate her. To her entire entourage, she is just a tool to be used. The exception is only one asari, in which Khalissah found an outlet, but that can be dealt with quickly enough. Moreover, by the own hands of the woman sitting in front of the inquisitor.
Walking back to the restaurant, Khalissah snapped out of her stupor and trembled. Tears flowed from her eyes, which she tried her best to hide by keeping her head down. She cried at the realization that someone actually needed her. That the people around her were willing to trust her, to trust her with their voices... Which was exactly what the Inquisitor wanted.
- I... I agree... I will do my best to help you..." Khalissah practically whispered in a broken voice, sniffling her nose and looking down at her lap. In response, Elazar slowly stood up and reached up to her and put his hand over her face.
- Do not be afraid of your tears, Miss Khalissah, for they are tears of happiness. And they make any girl even more beautiful than she is. - Elazar said and lifted her face. At this Khalissah did indeed burst into tears, taking the inquisitor's hand in her own as if to find comfort in them.
Elazar was pleased.
What Khalissah hadn't noticed was that everyone in this restaurant was human. And they, like the restaurant itself, belonged to the Inquisitor. Over the past month, Elazar's group had accomplished a lot for this galaxy, but far less than they would have liked.
Splitting into two groups, Elazar and Sybilla first and Damia and Maya second, they were able to clean up a few more small places like that bar. With that, they were able to recruit thirty-six people, and with the money from the dead Batarians, they were able to buy the place, organizing an initial base. And since it was in a residential and densely populated neighborhood, there was no fear of attack. At least an open one.
The building that housed the restaurant had three floors and one underground, due to the former owner being one of the raid victims. Elazar had spent a large sum of money due to the area of almost two hundred square meters to convert the entire building in a short period of time.
The first floor was allocated to a restaurant for publicity and the type of official activity. The second and third floors were allocated for the rooms for the former slaves, i.e. the current members of the group, common areas and Elazar's office. In the basement was the training area and weapons storage.
The Sister of Battle took special zeal in training the new recruits. She, along with former military men, taught hand-to-hand combat, shooting, edged weapons, and even trained in assassination for those who had not yet had to take a life. Damia also preached faith in the Emperor, slightly modified by Elazar to better understand popularization, which is precisely the main reason for the Battle Sister's zeal.
Maya has already been imbued with the ideals of the Imperium due to the Inquisitor specifically placing her in a group with Damia. For this reason, she wishes to become a Battle Sister like her.
And since Damia is the only member of the Adepta Sororitas in this universe, in the absence of anyone higher in rank than her, she automatically became the Abbess, that is, the head of this entire division of the Ecclesiarchy. At least until one was found. And since that was the case, she had the right to accept into the ranks whoever she saw fit, that is, someone like Maya.
Sybilla, though not imbued with the tenets of the Imperium, still fulfills her duties as Elazar's deputy because of her experience in management and business. Though, Sybilla still comes after Damia in the power structure, and the orders of the Sister of Battle take higher priority than she does.
Knowing her full name, the Inquisitor was able to find out who her parents were. They died in the War of First Contact, the first skirmish between the Council and humanity, and the girl was cared for by her grandmother, who had already passed away from old age. Her father owned a small food manufacturing company, which is where she got her skills. Although, at some point the company closed due to debts and crisis.
Of course, the raids of their faction that had the symbol of the Inquisition and the name "Ordo" did not go unnoticed. Many Batarians fiercely wanted to deal with it, but could do little about it due to a couple of special circumstances related to Queen Omega.
Among the freed slaves there were members of species other than humanity, but they were extremely few, about one tenth of the total number. And before they were offered to join the freed humans, the xenos were set free to spread their name to other races.
Of course, Damia had voiced her displeasure, obviously wanting to get rid of them, but Elazar had convinced her not to. In the end he got some publicity for the group among the Xenos, but not enough. And that's what he needed Khalissah for. Plus...
-0-
- Are we planning on blowing up an entire neighborhood, Inquisitor? - Damia asked with a raised eyebrow- When you said you were expecting a shipment of explosives, I didn't expect so many.
That evening, when Khalissah was taken to a spare room on the third floor, Elazar went down to the basement and entered the weapons warehouse. In addition to the pistols, rifles, and grenade launchers in front of him were five large crates, each containing small and inconspicuous bombs.
It was these that the Inquisitor had ordered from Marlo. He had asked the merchant to get him explosives that could be sneaked into most places inconspicuously, but that would have the maximum available power. Almost a third of all the credits that had accumulated in Elazar's accounts had gone to them, and Marlo didn't disappoint.
- Come on, we're not terrorists," the inquisitor smiled and picked up one of the bombs. It was palm-sized and oval in shape with a small, invisible sensor panel that looked like a bar of soap. Then Elazar turned to Sybilla, who was looking at the crates with some discomfort - Warn the men that they'll have a lot of work to do starting tomorrow, Ms. Noll.
- What kind of work? - Sybilla asked.
- I want our men to discreetly hand over the still-unsaved slaves these bombs. This is the final stage of preparation for our statement to the entire galaxy.
- You know the slaves are being screened, right? They can't sneak a weapon, much less a bomb.
- You needn't worry. The slave trader's devices won't be able to detect them. Sister has already checked it," Elazar assured me and put the bomb back, then activated his omni-tool, "I sent you a map with the coordinates marked on it. These are the largest slave trading gangs that exist on Omega. These are priority targets, the rest is up to you.
- Won't people get hurt? - Sybilla asked worriedly.
- Not if they follow the instructions. It's in the same file as the map. - Elazar shook his head and smiled grimly.
Everything was almost ready, and soon they would have no shortage of people or credit. All that remained was the final step.
- Get to work, Ms. Noll. We can't keep people waiting any longer, can we?
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