After learning of their current destination from Irish, the crew gained new hope of reaching their destination. Yet still, the fires of suspicion burned hot in their bellies. Rain and Maeror were on what could only be described as ?Punch-first-release-from-cell-later terms?.
While the crew slept, a small cadre of figures crept through the decks of the ship. Maeror at point, the group solemnly ascended the stairs to Inquisitorial Quarters. Larenxis and Pie held back near the rear of the group, exchanging shifty glances, unsure of how the next few hours would play out.
Maeror slid his hand along the wall of the hallway, feeling for a small notch that he knew was there. Several more paces through the dark brought him to his goal, he pressed his ear to the wall.
?Say what you want about the Governor, demon, the man knows how to run a tight ship. Total communalization of living space, hormonal suppression, hell, even our own surveillance systems cannot compete with what this man?s achieved! He?s put cameras in every plaza and hab, and what?s more, the people love him for it! They?ve got some bizarre craving for him, his very visage seems to have some neurological effect on them!? the hushed voice seemed elated.
?Lord T smiles upon this fleshy mortal, he?s quite the manipulator, I?d never have thought this possible only a few centuries ago. Such skill and finesse.? the other voice seemed detached, almost maniacal with glee.
?Our masters back at the Inquisition would love to have these techniques for themselves, if only we could convince Rain and Kalidian. Those narrow-minded fools would throw this whole thing away for the sake of their Emperor-damned tradition.?
The voices went silent.
?Come to think of it, Kalidian can be coerced, he?s only an Interrogator, the young idealist. Rain?well, we?ll have to eliminate him. Our masters will understand. What?s one life for the subjugation of countless worlds??
?I?can remove him if thou wish it.?
?Very well, make it seem effortless and natural, suspicion carries a heavy burden.?
Silence again; a small radio in the room crackled to life ?You?ve permission to pursue these directives Galt, eliminate opposition and secure technical knowledge of the subjugation, I?ll make sure it gets into the proper hands.?
Galt calmly said, ?Acknowledged.?
Larenxis recorded the whole thing in his head, he summoned his skull from beneath his robes, ?Get Rain, he needs to hear this.? he said. As the skull flitted off into the darkness, Maeror loaded his pistol and engaged the notch in the wall. A door slid open and revealed Galt sitting comfortably at a table with Irish chained to the wall, a ship-to-ship transmitter belched out static on the tabletop.
Galt immediately stood up and drew his pistol. He fired once into the transmitter and once at the doorway, nearly killing Pie. Before Galt could turn his gun on Irish, Maeror put a bullet in his neck, the cover-up had failed. Sensing there was no way out, the Delinquent withdrew and Irish slumped to the floor.
Hours later, once Rain and Kalidian had reviewed the recording, a verdict was reached regarding Irish. Rain calmly signed the Warrant of Exorcism and prepared his holy symbols and blessed oils. Galt?s body was cast out into the void of space, little ceremony for a turncoat Inquisitor.
Alright, I?m dead and Irish is lined up for the demonic equivalent of a vasectomy. Was I the killer, or just an Inquisitor with ulterior motives? Who knows, only time will tell.
