41K RPG : Into the Eye.

[Cynical Cat]

"To see if you're well and to pump your brain for useful information, of course. You are our resident member of the Ordo Xenos." He sat down. "I have only encountered the Eldar once and those were the so-called 'Dark Eldar' so I must rely on your expertise."

He hesitated. "There is another matter. I have been keeping abreast of reports on the activities of the Tyranid Hive Fleets. In Inquisition communications I have noticed a certain lack of conclusions regarding the Tyranids, despite a growing number of facts. I have a suspicion that this is not because no conclusions have been drawn, but rather because those conclusions are considered to dire for general consumption. I was wondering if you could shed any light on that."

It did not escape Jolan's notice that Pater ignored the flask. Well, that pretty much establishes what our relationship is in his mind. That's unfortunate.

[Pcm979]

Pater leaned back in his chair. "The situation is quite simple. Our current predictions state that there may be more Hive Fleets than there are stars in the galaxy. These numbers double daily."

A servo-skull floated over and deposited two glass tumblers and a bottle of amasaec. Pater poured himself a drink from the flask and gulped it down, then poured Gix some amasaec. Two could play at that game.

"Some, such as myself, consider that these numbers are still below the true figures by an order of magnitude. In short, our current tactics are utterly inadaquate for the task. Anything more specific, and I'd have to kill you." He was not joking.

[Cynical Cat]

Jolan accepted the glass. "Thank you." He drank, savouring it for a moment. "I think this is the best amasec I've ever had. Although, to be fair, Melina says I don't have a palate worth talking about." He paused. "I have a project in mind that might have some bearing on the Tyranid situation. It's unfortunate that you aren't willing to be more forthcoming, but the information you have provided me was somewhat helpful."

[Pcm979]

Pater shrugged, encompassing the compliment for the amasec and the comment on the Tyranids in one go. "You believe you could bring something to the table? Interesting. Your record speaks for itself, of course, and we are in constant need of fresh blood, new concepts, radical ideas." He perhaps stressed the last two words an almost imperceptible amount.

He leaned forward again. "I do not think I shall raise your security clearance. Officially. Despite the clear and imminent danger the Tyranids represent, there remains a considerable amount of infighting and backstabbing among those supposedly in control of the situation." He grimaced. "You know how it is."

[Cynical Cat]

Jolan smiled. "I wasn't asking for higher clearances. I was asking a fellow conspirator to provide me with useful information." He paused for a moment.

"Certain information is much more common knowledge within various Ordos. Among the Ordo Hereticus the behaviour of Imperial Commanders and upper echelons of our feudal structure have been heavily studied and documented. Certain patterns are very clear and this information can be very useful. In short, Imperial Commanders tend to be very conservative and try to protect the status quo. This means that development efforts on most worlds are almost entirely the work of ambitious individuals who are running up against the local nobility and power structure. It is a very poor way for a society constantly at war with alien menaces to function. I intend to change that."

[Pcm979]

Pater nodded and listened. He had nothing new or groundbreaking to add yet, so he waited for Jolan to reach his point.

[Cynical Cat]

"I intend for certain allies of mine to take over several subsectors and apply certain development techniques. Although the full impact of the changes will take about five hundred years to reach their height, Imperial Guard assets will double within a century and Navy ones will triple. That's just numbers. Overall quality, both of personel and equipment, will also improve."

[Pcm979]

"Your controls?" Pater asked simply.

[Cynical Cat]

Gix smiled. "The plan involves building up the strength of the Navy, sponsoring Sororitas Abbies, and Schola Progium facilitie among other things. Loyalty controls gain in power as the development process takes place and part of the process deepens ties with large scale Imperial institutions as well as encouraging inter stellar trade to other subsectors. They are in fact necessary for the rapid development."

[Pcm979]

"Interesting." Pater refilled their glasses and swirled his for a moment. "I have been concentrating on rebuilding. A few key agents are left in position as my fleet moves on, and lay the groundwork for a more... Progressive, effective Imperium. Several Forge Worlds on the Eastern Rim are now nominally under my control. There is usually no one left to disagree with me after the system has been won." He smiled, a tight, predatory drawing of the lips.

[Cynical Cat]

"Dangerous," replied Gix. "Inquisitors with that kind of direct or indirect control get noticed. I suggest relinquishing control to acceptable proxies. It will save you a visit from our colleages at the Officio Assassinorum."

[Pcm979]

"I have the situation under control, Jolan." Pater responded easily. "You will understand if I do not go into detail, but my system is tiered and distributed carefully to ensure that my influence is rarely necessary, let alone evident. Fifty years ago I most likely would have made the mistakes you mention, but now, your concerns are baseless."

[Cynical Cat]

"Good," replied Gix. "Don't get cocky. I have some experience in this area and must reluctantly admit that I am not the most capable player in this game. I was fortunate enough to survive my education in this regard, but I paid in pain."

[Pcm979]

"As I said, this is not fifty years ago." An edge crept into Pater's voice. "I have endured my own growing pains, buried my own bodies. We all have."

[Cynical Cat]

Perhaps he had. In any case it was clear that Pater would take no advice from Jolan Gix, even in an area he had some expertise. "We'll bury a lot more," replied Gix, changing the subject.. "A great line of the dead stalks us all. The guilty and the innocent, the villianous and the virtous. Those that die in our service, those that we condemn, and those that oppose us."

He raised his glass. "To the innocent and the virtous. May our work be worth their sacrifice. May He on Earth guard their souls."

[Pcm979]

"Amen." Pater replied solemly, and downed his glass.

"Which reminds me. You said there was a tale to tell regarding your Sororitas. The one whe mentioned Talstrem."

[Cynical Cat]

"A long one. The short version is that Domina started to have visions. She prayed and consulted her seniors. They thought they weren't anything extraordinary, little more than waking dreams. Then she had seizure, in which she screamed the name of Inquisitor Jolan Gix. This got her a cell, visits from exorcists, and finally a visit from me.

"I put her through the ropes, but she seemed untainted. She said she carried a message from Nathan Talstrem for me. An urgent one. She repeated pieces of private conversations I had had with him. So I took her."

[Pcm979]

"Interesting." Pater allowed. "I also said I had a tale to tell. Byron, front and centre."

The Servo-Skull which had been attending them hovered minutely closer, and seemed to cock it's head to one side.

"Inquisitor Jolan Gix, Byron-495. Byron, Jolan."

"Charmed." Trilled the Skull.

[Cynical Cat]

"How smart are you Byron?" Gix asked.

[Pcm979]

"I rattle along somehow." Warbled the Skull.

"Byron." Pater said wearily.

"Sorry, sir. My Intelligence Quotient is well within human averages, Lord Gix. My parallel processing power is what puts me ahead of the pack. I'm quick on my feet, your Lordship. So to speak."

[Cynical Cat]

"Very impressive. Gard would be going green with envy if he was here now."

[Pcm979]

"Thank you, M'Lord. As the poet said-"

"You can go, Byron." Pater interjected.

"Yessir." The skull zoomed off.

"The first Imperium-controlled Artificial Intelligence in millenia." Pater said. "It is a slow process, but Byron has proven loyal so far. If somewhat irritating."

[Cynical Cat]

"Very impressive. You have every right to be proud of this accomplishment. It must be somewhat annoying that you can't cry it to the heavens."

[Pcm979]

"I can only claim credit for the concept." Demurred Pater. "But yes, I believe it to be a great step forward, if a partial one until I am assured there will not be a repeat of the Dark Ages."

[Cynical Cat]

"I believe that the Men of Iron are much more capable of sending the Imperium into a civil war than our friend Byron here. An impressive development."

Jolan stands up. "I will take my leave. Be well Pater. May the Emperor watch over you."