Chapter 23: Ordo Xenos
Lucan didn't even have to wait two minutes before an Inquisitor from the Ordo Xenos arrived with fully armed Astra Militarum troopers, sealing off the scene.
A rough count put their numbers close to a thousand. They blocked all surrounding passageways, a clear indication of how cautiously the Imperium regarded such artifacts.
"Praise the God-Emperor! I am Derek Octavian, a High Inquisitor of the Ordo Xenos in Footfall. You've just treated us all to a splendid battle. These soldiers of yours are strong, and their unprecedented equipment is quite special. If I'm not mistaken, word of your deeds will soon spread throughout the entire Expanse via the explorators here.
And thank you for exterminating these pirates. Otherwise, who knows that they would dare to conceal a Halo Device."
Derek said with a smile.
Lucan looked at Derek before him: a dark, wide-brimmed hat, red and black robes, and the rosette signifying an Inquisitor hanging on his chest.
Lucan vaguely saw a suit of power armor hidden beneath the robes. The man's perpetually smiling face immediately told him this was not someone to be trifled with; those who always smiled with narrowed eyes were never easy to deal with.
Two combat attendants with extensive augmetics followed closely behind him.
Lucan noticed the eyes of these two attendants were filled with a bloodthirsty light and were fixed intently on him, showing not even a hint of respect despite Lucan's status.
"Inquisitor Derek, may the God-Emperor protect you. Without your efforts, who knows what this barbaric star sector would become? What I have done is nothing significant!"
"Lord Lucan, you've just become a Rogue Trader, haven't you? I had some dealings with Lord Ludwig. I heard he perished in battle against daemons of the Warp?"
"That is correct. Lord Ludwig was true to his loyalty to the God-Emperor. If not for him, we might not have had the chance to escape the Warp."
"Then, would it be possible for me to see Lord Ludwig's body?"
"Regrettably, Lord Ludwig's body was reduced to ashes by the Warp's encroachment. However, my Lord Inquisitor, you are of the Ordo Xenos, are you not? Have you taken up the work of the Ordo Malleus as well?"
"You jest. In the Expanse, the threats of xenos and daemons are often intertwined. I was merely curious. Since it's not possible, let us forget it."
Derek's casual remarks showed his extraordinary caution. To him, an obscure individual suddenly becoming a Rogue Trader, then abruptly appearing with a host of never-before-seen soldiers and technology – this matter was inherently abnormal.
Derek walked over to the box containing the Halo Device. After confirming its contents, Derek spoke to Lucan again.
"You haven't touched these things, I trust?"
"Of course not. I am well aware of how terrible these things are. I want nothing to do with them, not even the slightest connection."
"That's good. If you had touched them, then, depending on the circumstances, I might have had to cut off your hand, or perhaps even purify you!"
Derek said the harshest words with a smile.
"Hmph, Inquisitor, perhaps you should attend to these xenos artifacts first!" Lucan retorted.
"Hahaha, don't mind me. I was merely following procedure!"
Soon, the Inquisitor's attendants brought in a large metal container. After using specialized tools to transfer all the Halo Devices into it, Lucan breathed a sigh of relief.
"These pirates of the Void Consortium will be declared Excommunicate Traitoris. They have perhaps forgotten their limits. Lord Lucan, if you have any information on them, you may also notify us. All who touch heresy shall feel the God-Emperor's wrath. Of course, I also hope you will not become tainted by these heretical artifacts yourself."
"I am a law-abiding Rogue Trader."
"Indeed, every Rogue Trader says so. However, there happens to be a matter I wished to discuss with you."
"Oh?"
"An Inquisitor under my command is also due to travel to Agathos. I was hoping you could take him with you when you depart."
"You want an Inquisitor to travel on my ship? Are you trying to plant a spy on my vessel or in my capital world?"
"Hahaha, I really like you, Lucan Mongorte. Compared to that Ludwig's evasiveness and pointless noble etiquette, I much prefer your directness. The Inquisition has spies in almost every Dynasty; this is not something that needs to be concealed. Do you think Agathos doesn't have any right now?
You need not worry excessively. You possess a Warrant of Trade. As long as you do not cross intolerable lines, my Inquisitor may even become an asset to you. He can help you identify threats from xenos or even from the Warp. Even though you Rogue Traders are worldly and experienced, you ultimately cannot compare to the myriad secrets from across the Imperium stored within our Inquisitorial archives.
Moreover, cooperation with the Inquisition has its benefits. Ludwig also cooperated with us. Only by establishing friendly relations with the Inquisition can your Dynasty's affairs proceed more smoothly, can they not? The Warrant of Trade does not grant you complete impunity. Sometimes, certain affairs of a Dynasty may fall outside the rights granted by the Warrant, and then the Inquisition becomes the arbiter, does it not?"
Derek's words were less a request and more of a thinly veiled threat.
Lucan struggled to suppress his anger.
"Are not these words of yours also somewhat heretical, Lord Inquisitor? Are you presuming to decide a man's guilt in place of the God-Emperor?"
"Is that not our very mission? Everything is for the good of mankind, wouldn't you agree?"
Derek watched Lucan with keen interest.
"You've got guts," Lucan thought internally. "Let me build up my strength first, and then we'll see if you can still talk like that."
However, on second thought, Lucan realized he had nothing to hide that couldn't see the light of day. He didn't dabble with xenos, much less profane Warp knowledge.
If any Warp artifacts did accidentally come into his possession, they'd just end up having their energy drained by him. Whether he agreed or not, Derek would almost certainly find a way to insert his informant. After all, Lucan was about to recruit a large number of crewmen; there was no way to ensure every single one was clean.
Instead of digging out spies later and being constantly wary, it was better to have this spy out in the open. Perhaps he could even become a useful enforcer. An Inquisitor's combat prowess shouldn't be weak, right? And Lucan was currently lacking high-end combat power.
"Since you've put it that way, Lord Inquisitor, then I shall patiently await the arrival of your Inquisitor."
"You are very clever. I believe you will undoubtedly become an outstanding Rogue Trader! Business here is mostly concluded, Lord Lucan. I shall not disturb you further. I imagine there are quite a few people outside waiting to see you now!"
"I look forward to our next meeting, Inquisitor."
Derek left, taking his attendants and the Astra Militarum with him. As these people departed, many others emerged from the shadows.
"Verre, help me receive and register them first. Also, arrange meetings for me at the Court of the Hierarch according to their status. It seems our plan was successful; big business is coming our way!"
"Would it be possible to leave a few Raynor's Raiders here? I believe after they've had a closer look, we can command a much better price."
"Do as you see fit!"
And at this moment, Lucan spoke to Jae, who had been waiting patiently nearby.
"Jae, I am never stingy with rewarding others. Everything in the Void Consortium's warehouse is yours to dispose of. You may take your due share from the sales."
"Jae Heydari is more than willing to serve you, my Lord."
The contents of the entire Void Consortium warehouse, if sold, would represent an extremely substantial income. Even if Jae only took a five percent commission, it would be more than her entire current net worth. Perhaps not all the goods inside belonged to those pirates, but it was all illicit Cold Trade anyway. If someone wanted to claim to be the loser, Lucan was quite happy to hand over said "loser" to Imperial authorities.
Jae was just an individual, while the Void Consortium was a major power in Footfall. However, that was now in the past. The Void Consortium would continue to exist and would grow strong again.
But it would be impossible for them to recover in the short term. After all, pirates could never be truly eradicated. However, after the incident with the Halo Device, a number of their leaders would inevitably perish, but new ones would also take their place.
The Imperium couldn't realistically wipe out the entire Consortium either; these criminal organizations had long since become part of the Koronus Expanse's ecosystem.
(End of Chapter)