Capítulo 105: Chapter 14 Part 4
Chapter 14: Diplomacy is not a dead art
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Part 4
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Bridge
Necron Battlecruiser Scythe
En route to Kronus
The negotiations with the Humans went better than anticipated, Amarkun concluded. They weren't shooting at each other. The Humans and their Imperium might yet prove useful. They could be a shield against some of the new threats rising in this age or a sword aimed at old problems. Like rival Dynasties. Or Aeldari, Devolved Krork infestations, and more.
Amarkun, Zaa, and the Necron Lord of Kronus, now calling himself Herald of Victory, a bit pretentious true, but well, everyone had to have their delusions… The three of them spent a long time discussing tactical and strategic options, all the while, the Nemesor did his absolute best to wrangle the best possible price for his assistance. He was careful though because alienating the Herald might not be the best choice.
With the principal enemies on Kronus defeated and posing no immediate threat, it allowed the allocation of even more resources on intelligence gathering. Most of the local human systems were relatively easy to penetrate, even though many did require physical access. Getting to the data wasn't the hard part. It was doing so without being noticed and leaving no trace of intrusion. There was no reason to rile up the poor primitives any more than they already were. Doing so might be counter-productive after all.
Those efforts did offer a lot of priceless data about the state of the galaxy, even if not all of it could be trusted. The Humans loved to drape religious dogma over everything and take things of faith that had nothing to do with such a fleeting concept.
Said data painted an even grimmer if a fragmented picture, which was the topic of endless discussions.
During one such brainstorming session, various assets on Kronus informed their Overlords about important events unfolding on the planet. Inquisitor Veil was awake. He had grown a pair of wings, which was now confirmed to be a permanent and very unusual state of affairs.
The Inquisitor had to deal with a crowd of the more foolish of his kind, something Amarkun could commiserate over. Then things got interesting. First, it appeared that offering a gift or two might be to ensure future good-faith negotiations. The Humans didn't have to offer something, not after the Inquisitor risked life and limb to protect a Planetary Lord.
There were, of course, similar but superior concepts among the Necrons when negotiations between Dynasties took place. It was almost nice to see the primitives did show the occasional glimmer of proper civilization. It was either that, or they were giving the Humans too much credit. Still, generally, it was better to overestimate something rather than underestimate it. Especially if it was a third party.
"The Inquisitor lost an arm saving you, Lord Herald of Victory." Zaa dispensed wise advice. "Perhaps we should craft him a proper replacement? From the data we have, while the Humans could craft adequate replacements, they're little better than mere flesh!"
Really, what was the use of replacing a missing limb if you didn't do so with something much better?
"That's good advice!" Amarkun agreed.
"Herald?"
"I already have my Crypteks design and build several prototypes to serve as replacements. Honor alone demands it."
Amarkun slowly nodded. Honor did matter when kept within reason. Without it, the Necrons would be a little better than the few more enlightened Aeldari, or primitives like the Humans.
"The Inquisitor lost his other arm earlier after engagement with devolved Krork and the Tau primitives. Perhaps we should offer a better replacement each?" Zaa again proved the foresight that gained him the title of Tomorrow.
"Perhaps an old-fashioned shield, so he won't be misplacing other parts in battle? He is running out of appendages." The Herald of Victory suggested.
"Cryptek, have designs drawn, and examples build. We'll examine them and decide on proper gifts." Amarkun declared magnanimously. According to some Human records, awing the primitives with exemplary gifts could go a long way. Those same records plainly said that such tactics worked on the Humans themselves.
They went back to strategic level discussions until it came time to observe the meeting between the Inquisitors. That would undoubtedly provide a lot of vital insight for the negotiations.
The Necrons watched and got more than they bargained for.
"How does he know this much? Did you tell him?" Zaa of Tomorrow left proper manners behind and all but accused the Herald.
"I did no such thing!" The Planetary Lord stood his ground and denied everything. "Besides, his story is incomplete! Just said so!"
"Get assets closer. We will fill in some blanks with our story." Amarkun decided. "Do watch Inquisitor Vail. The analysis concludes she mistrusts Inquisitor Veil. Such a state of the affair might harm our negotiating position."
"I'm working on it." Herald of Victory declared.
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Victory Bay
Kronus
Amberley felt a profound sense of relief when they got into the back of a Chimera. Thanks to Veil's wings, only a handful of people could get inside with him. She chose Mott, who was busy recording everything the madman said. The Commissar who arrived with Veil prepared to climb in as well when dreadfully familiar green lighting caught Vail off guards. Her instincts kicked in, and she dove for the ground.
Her retinue was slower on the uptake because they were already onboard nearby transport. Necron treachery! That was Amberley's first thought. However, there were no screams of dying people, while their bodies disintegrated. No sounds of combat assaulted her ears. Just a few snorts and nervous laughter that died fast.
"Did you have to startle the good Inquisitor?!" Veil demanded, just as a wave of something wrong and foul hit Amberley.
Was there a Daemon of Nurgle here?! She rolled to her knees and looked wildly around. A pair of rather thin Necrons stood beside the boarding ramp of the Chimera, and no one else bats an eye at their appearance. The only other difference was a small girl hugging Veil's chest. That and the fact that he no longer glowed. His feathers were just snow-white now.
Amberley's mind raced to figure out what in the Emperor's name just happened?!
"Our Lord, Herald of Victory, deemed it fitting that we joined you to fill up missing parts of your story."
Mott, bless his scholar soul, nearly jumped in glee even if he looked a bit ill.
"We couldn't leave our charge behind." The other Necron conversationally pointed at the child hugging Veil.
"Everyone, this is Selene, the Greatest Pariah in the sector, honored Kneekaper, the bane of Daemons."
Finally, Amberley's mind kicked in high gear. Out of the armor, the girl looked much smaller and thinner, however, her status explained Vail's reaction.
It most certainly didn't explain why Veil wasn't screaming in pain. Why he wasn't wailing like Rakel, that a black hole was eating the Emperor's light? That said, her presence was firm proof that Veil wasn't a Daemonhost. Amberley keenly remembered what happened to one when they got too close to Jurgen, Caiphas' aide. It wasn't pretty. A lot of screaming and viscera got involved long before anyone did their best to put that thing out of everyone's misery.
"Zemelda, subdue Rakel before she does something foolish!" Amberley snapped. Damn it, her temper and self-control were fraying already!
"Pile in. Charles, you're either riding on top or getting another transport. I'm sure Inquisitor Vail will behave."
"As you wish, sir." The Commissar saluted and climbed on top of the Chimera.
Meanwhile, the two Necrons squeezed inside, a feat made easier by their slim bodies, much slimmer than the Necrons Amberly fought before. She gathered her courage, muttered a prayer to the Emperor, and climbed inside, staying as far away from the Pariah and the Xeno as she could, for all the good it did her.
"Where were we?" Veil had the sheer gall to ask when the transport began to move.
"At the point where you stop spilling classified information where anyone could hear it! Are you out of your mind?!" Amberley raged for a moment before catching herself. So much for keeping control and upholding the lofty standards of the Inquisition.
"Did I say anything you didn't know?" Veil infuriatingly ignored her and asked the Xenos.
"Nothing of consequence. Our Lord does wonder how you know of our origins?"
"I'm not sure myself. When a topic arises, I seem to recall such trivia."
"I would love to hear more!" Mott pipped up. Damn his scholar soul!
"Can you two make up your mind?" Veil looked between Amberley and her old friend with exasperation written all over his face.
Amberley knew she should demand the man shut up for good. However, if he actually knew what he was talking about, if the Necrons for some insane reason we're ready to corroborate the information and fill up holes in it, then it would be Amberley's duty to gain as much intelligence as possible, then ensure it got to the Inquisition at large! This had to be a stalling tactic, a distraction! And it was working, damn that man!
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