IV Recuperator

                                    

                                          
Through the wall he heard alarm sirens on the deck. The noise was brief. 
 - Put on the helmet, Titus, - the psykers voice return, - be mute. We are landing. Proof your value to Him.
 The power armour got activated and the gates slid open. The inquisitor came wearing the same outfit, the servitor moved behind him holding the las-gun he trained with. Two humans accompanied the psyker. The one resembled the woman sneak on him: the same height, same limbs. But she moved with no trace of agility demonstrated couple hours ago. The woman was bent and stumbling, clasped arms on her chest held a knot of little images of aquila and other amulets of the Emperor cult. Her head was covered with a high dirty cap with no visible holes for eyes. Several small bells were stitched to her cloth. She looked like a repentant sinner, but the clinging of weapons under her robe proved that she was the same fighter. The new face of the inquisitor crew belonged to a hunchback. The man was dressed in the army uniform, grave face was clean shaved, eyes replaced with optic. Except for the bulging hunch he had a slender body, crooked under his deformity. The man wasn't a runner, let alone a fighter, but he showed no surprise or timidity in the Astartes' presence. He was a long-range specialist - a big sniper rifle hanged at his shoulder, a customized piece of a weaponry. Titus let humans came in the aircraft first and took the weapon from the servitor's manipulators. The servo-skull flew inside after him and soared above the inquisitor.
 - Sit at the same seats, - the flying skull cracked through the vox. Titus came to the fixed chairs and found that the belts were enlarged for his size. He fixed himself for the landing. Others were ready too, sitting close to each other. The vox came alive.
 - We are landing in the mining colony suspected in collaboration with the xenos race known as Aeldari, - the inquisitor started to brief him, - colonists are not found guilty yet. Received data tells of no suspected aggression from them. But we always must be vigilant.
 - The God-emperor protects are souls, - the woman's voice cut in the vox channel, open for the whole squad. Titus heard ringing bells inside and outside his helm, - protecting the bodies is our duty.
 - Exactly, - continued the inquisitor with no trace of irritation for being interrupted, - two squads of the enforces are summoned from the planet governor to keep order. Luisa, Tapio this is Titus, he will join us for this hunt for treason and enemies of the Imperium. You are superior to him and may give him commands through this vox channel.   
 - Copy that, inquisitor, - acknowledged the sniper.
 - By your will, master, - the woman answered with ringing bells.
 - Obey them as myself, - the psyker told him mentally, - you may greet other tools of His will.
 - I greet you, - grunted Titus.
 - The local authorities hadn't been noticed about our arrival. We are landing openly; obstructions of any kind are obstructions to His will. In the name of the Emperor let all hidden foes will be found and purged!

 Fixed chairs held his weight this time. The craft plunged into the planet atmosphere and was descending fast. 
 - The enforces are at the reassigned place and moving to the meeting point, master, - the servitor cracked through the vox, - the connection with Ataraxis is stable, we are ready to defense.
 They flew for some time, then the vessel slowed down and grounded, vibrating slightly. The engine gone silent.
 - Titus you go first, - commanded the inquisitor, - servitor, put me to the enforcers' leader.
 - Abderra and its populace greeting His inquisitor, lord, - a harsh voice joined the vox channel. The man was obviously nervous. - I am Captain Juho, sixty enforces are at your disposal, inquisitor.
 - Disembark, captain. Self-protection is on you. Any other action you declare to me first.
 - I obey.
 - Put me on the loud speaker to pronounce my arrival, servitor, - the psyker stepped to Titus who was waiting for the serf opening the hatch. The armor door sled off blinding him with the bright light. Helm's visor adopted instantly. Titus came out, eyeing a wide dusty plain. Red earth surrounded them. It was a level endless valley except for few manmade objects. There were two enormous semicircle living structures to his left and right, each one could accommodate up to two hundred thousand habitants according to lower-hive standards. The space between them was empty but for gigantic statue of a man holding the mining drill and a round building supposed to combine an Emperor church and a town-hall. It bears some decorum suited both for the Ministorum and the Administratum, while living blocks have plain walls worn by harsh wind, which have already dusted his armour in red. Further ahead he saw a big manufacture building next to the enter into mines. Two black flyers similar to their own were grounded behind; enforces clad in heavy carapace armour were gathering in straight lines. The sun was high and not many people saw their arrival. But the voice of the inquisitor transmitted through the speaker didn't invite for a chat. It declared the arrival of higher authority. The news heard by few would spread around as fast as a lightning bolt. 
 - Servants of the God-Emperor! I'm Sebastian Silver of His inquisition. Proceed your normal duty. Pure ones have nothing to fear, for I'm His hand striking infidelity and protecting the loyal. The Emperor protects!
 - Servitor, receive all incoming calls, report unusual ones, - the inquisitor gave orders through the vox, - Captain Juho, ten men to look after each living building, do not let citizens out, calm them down. The rest with me to the town-hall.
 Hearing that Titus walked to the building through the instantly emptied square - no one stayed to welcome the most fearsome servants of the Emperor. "After the Astartes", - thought he. Ringing bells and stumping enforces pursued him. He held his las-gun down searching for any treat with his eyes.
 - Slow down, Titus, we're not charging, - Sebastian told him mentally and spoke through the vox, - servitor?
 - Requests for identification from the local administration and intense communication from the enforcers ship, master.
 - Captain Juho! You will report to your superiors after the operation is concluded. 
 - Yes, my lord, - now the man was terrified.
 - Tapio?
 - Nothing, inquisitor.
 - The movement ahead! They are leaving the building, - Titus kept going and raised his riffle, seeing no hostile actions from the men emerged from the town-hall. 
 - Captain Juho, the living blocks?
 - My men met no disobedience. Locals make no attempt to leave the perimeters. Few got arrested for showing disrespect to authority, nothing exceptional for such places. 
 - Report if that changed, captain. 
 - The inquisitor in our settlement! We are pleased to see the glorious agent of the Emperor, - dozen clerk looking men and women ran to them. Several brutal guards followed them feeling out of place for sure - they looked poorly in front of the inquisitor surrounded with his retinue and forty enforces. Humans reeked with fear. - How can we assist you, lord?
 - Give a word to miners to keep their work. There is no need to stop the labor. Thirty enforces will guard the industrial territory. We will speak inside. - By his jest the ruling humans turned around and hurried back into the town hall. Sebastian said trough the vox, - proceed, captain Juho, be among them - to identify and capture possible traitors there is your main duty. Leave the rest of your men to surround the town-hall.
 - Yes, my lord. - Enforces split and only they four followed the clerks.  
 Inside it was a usual civilian administrative building: high ceilings, dull rockcrete walls covered with the Ministorum slogans and mining related charts, arched doorways, dim lights and servo-skulls buzzing here and there holding data slates or sealed messages.
 - Gather everyone in the biggest room, - commanded Sebastian and added mentally to them, - Luisa, check the upper floors, Titus, the lower ones. 
 The woman darted sideways filling corridors with jingle. Titus moved the other way, searching for the stairways or the lift. His big figure scared scribes met by the way. He barked on them to move to the biggest hall in the building. No one asked his authority: the power armour and the very size of him provided the right to command. Titus ran through the three floors. Some clerk whom he took for a servitor at first, sworn that it was the lowest level of the building and led him to an auditorium. The vast room was filled with clerks, there were hundreds of them sitting in semicircle rows raising to the celling, humble and afraid of the single figure of the inquisitor standing on the podium eyeing the assembled people. Tapio was behind him, Luisa's cap pointed above the back seats. Without a new order Titus backed the exit. Most of the gathered humans were nothing in combat, several put together could beat an armoured enforcer or may be the woman, but not him.
 - We are guarding exits of the mine and the plant, inquisitor. Everything is under control, - reported the leader of enforcers.  
 - I am inquisitor Sebastian Silver. In the name of the Emperor I adopt the status of recuperator to trial citizens of mining settlement Orson for treason. Silence! - roared the psyker with his own throat stopping the hum of fearful screams of unbelief and panic. People yelled of their innocence, blaming others for any sins the community is accused for, many fainted or cries from the very possibility of being punished by the Inquisition, - there is no time for a long procedure. Those of you who are innocent should not worry. The guilty ones can ease their fate by confessing. I will ask questions and those who in knowledge will answer. I expect superiors to speak first. But my ears are open for anyone in this presence. The Emperor listens to all prayers, so who am I to turn from the lowest of you. 
 - The people of Orson have nothing to hide, inquisitor, - the group of mumbling officials, those who've met them, tried to stand up, but Sebastian waved them down, - we'll say everything and wash the stain of suspicion off our community. 
 - Your accidents rate is higher than on other mines, - stated the inquisitor, - security and maintenance reports you sent to the Administratum declared operating without irregularities. What did cause those extra losses? 
 - Should I present myself to the lord? - the inquisitor shook his head to a man dared to answer first. Others definitely were nudging him to, - those deaths were pure accidently, a neglect of duty not by the administration or higher engineers but by workers themselves. Those people didn't serve the Emperor properly and wasn't careful enough. If I may, - the man bumbled, - I'd like to point that death rate wasn't that high, my lord.
 - It was stable though, - Titus looked at the crowd searching for those whose mask would break; the inquisitor continued, - where is your Ministorum priest?
 - He fell to illness, my lord, - answered another clerk of a high rank. His tiny voice was heard well since others kept silent. Sobbing and occasional hum of artificial limbs were only noise besides the strict voice of Sebastian and mumbling of questioned ones. - His predecessor perished in the mines, recklessly trying to preach in hazard environment of the working process. In both cases requests for a new servant of the holy Ministorum have been sent.
 - It's a pity the community still doesn't have a priest to guide you and ease the life, - Sebastian didn't show his reaction to the answer, - what's about other lost people in your area? - a thick silence covered the auditorium. Humans looked at each other in amaze. Finally, another clerk stood up and bowed to the inquisitor.
 - I'm sorry, my lord, we don't quite understand what other people you're questioning about.
 - Tenants of other Abderra settlements got lost through last few years. Their tracks disappeared in this area, close to Orson. 
 - We are not responsible for the vast territory, it's a dangerous desert out there, - the man threw up his hands and others bowed in unison, backing up the answer, - we are miners, my lord. That is all our life.
 - Those citizens were truckers transporting the oar from other mines or geologist, scouting the area, - continued Sebastian, - they knew your location and kept their routes close to Orson. They might use your machinery station in case of engine breakage or crush. Did you receive any call for help from passersby?
 - No we did not! - stated clerks, - our vox station is always online according to the Administratum regulations. We would not leave a fellow citizens in danger if their call had reached us. 
 - Very well, - said Sebastian aloud and switched to the vox. - Servitor.
 - Nothing to report, master, - cracked the artificial voice.
 - Captain Juho.    
 - No trace of suspicion activity, my lord. Living area is still. The mine and manufacture are working. If I may, lord, - the enforcer coughed, - it's a hell of a noise here and I don't know a thing about mining and stuff. They sound working, but who knows what's going on inside. Request to enter the mining area and the manufacture.
 - Request is denied, captain. Keep surveillance, - Sebastian addressed the audience, - the ones in charge of the vox station, stand up! - the crowd started to turn heads to several figures, rising among seating colleagues. Six men of different age and appearance stood up. The oldest of them has made a halfway to becoming a servitor. The young ones shivering with fear being in spot of attention of not just their superiors but an inquisitor himself. 
 - I left my post, lord! I confess! - screamed one stretching his hands to Sebastian. Clerks around him backed from him, fearing to be close to an epicenter of inevitable punishment. - I'm neglecting my duty right now but unwillingly; I swear to you. This woman, - he pointed to Luisa with shaking hand, - she drugged me off my work place, lord. 
 - Calm down! - the inquisitor stopped the snivels, - being summoned here is not a crime, - the man fell back to the seat weakly, - name the time of your service at this position, - humans answered, - and who are seniors among you? - three meekly raised their hands, - I see, sit down. Not a long time for a such safe job. What happened to previous vox masters?
 - It's been a while, lord, - the high clerk scrubbed his forehead, - I beg your forgiveness, without checking the log it's hard to tell for sure. I recall one died of illness, another got stubbed in a fight. The criminal was terminally stopped by the safety officers, - Titus glanced at thugs-looking men, - alas, the community is not safe from bad members. 
 - Alas, indeed, - said inquisitor. A psychic wave splashed on his mind - the Sebastian announced his decision mentally, - the trial will be continued with personal interrogation. Here and now. Senior clerks first. Use this opportunity to show your purity, - Sebastian's finger mark the first man to be questioned. The unfortunate human began to descend to the podium, stiffed with fear. To disobey an inquisitor was much more horrible thing to do.
 - Strange vox transmission detected, master, - the servitor cracked through the vox.
 - Details!
 - Imperium signature, low-level encryption, short distance, master.
 - Locate the transmitter and the receiver, decrypt the message, - Sebastian gestured the clerk to wait.
 - It's in the same building you are, master.
 - Be ready! - the inquisitor mentally warned his servants. Titus was always ready. Hearing the report on the transmission made the bloodshed inevitable. Someone here was corrupted. The question was how many of them. Tapio hasn't moved leaning on the riffle, which eased his discomfort of standing still. The cap of Luisa trembled behind clerks, he could hear the ringing bells and her mumbling through the vox - the woman has been praying all this time since entering the auditorium. Sebastian put his hand on sweating clerk and closed his eyes. Titus felt no collateral pain - the psyker didn't use much power on first man and left him soon. He pointed him to the exit blocked by Astartes and beckoned next clerk from the senior group. Titus let the pale man pass.
 - Go to underground levels, - he told him. The man shrank being addressed by armored giant and sneaked off hurriedly. Sebastian put his hand on the second man.
 - My lord! - Captain Juho's agitated voice emerged in the vox, - my men facing disturbance in the north-west living block. They report of hostile activity to break off.
 - Servitor!
 - The transmission was sent to the East, the destination is unknown, master.
 - Keep your position, captain. Send enforcers guarding the town-hall to assist your men. Be vigilant, the enemy may show its face anytime now.
 - Yes, my lord! - Sebastian released the clerk and choose another. Humans saw that interrogation not necessarily ends bloodily and relaxed a bit. The weakest or those who hided some secrets still moaned and shook, but majority of clerks haven't succumbed to panic. The next one though was looking bad. "That is the traitor", - decided Titus watching the man reluctantly descending, - "now it starts". The senior clerk was a balding man with traces of rejuvenating operations, he held himself straight and proud out of habit while his legs obviously got soft. No need to be a mind-reader to see sins crawling inside his pale-yellow head, dotted with memory reservoirs ports. He stopped in front of Sebastian.
 - Do you wish to confess? - asked the inquisitor calmly.
 - I had no other choice, - the man gasped and bent, hugging himself, - all lives at stakes, we had no choice.
 - Die, traitor! - this outcry filled the whole auditorium with the scream. Couple clerks firing their las-pistols. They shot poorly: a couple humans in first rows were hit, an aged woman sitting under them jumped up and got her head holed, the floor around Sebastian was scorched, while the confessed man froze in a shock but stayed intact. Others wasn't trying to stop them, trying to get away as far as possible from the firing line, stumping and kicking less agile neighbors.
 - Don't believe his lies, my lord! - screamed another clerk surrounded with muscular guards, with sticks clearing the way for their leader, - I will explain!
 Titus snorted, what is that fool hoping for? Acting so lame and obviously, more so in front of a mind-reader. The hunchback has already shot both shooters; the man was fast. Luisa was marshaling the raging crowd, so far with fists and exhortations. Sebastian put the man asleep and stepped forward to the clerk surrounded with the guards, who almost descendant to the inquisitor, left few beaten clerks laying stumped on the stairs. 
 - Stop, - commanded the psyker.
 - I will explain everything, my lord, we are innocent! Innocent! - screamed deluded man. 
 - Those guards showed their allegiance, Titus, the clerk must live, - Sebastian commanded through the vox. He wasn't going to get the armour dirty and run to the clerk, firing his riffle. In two seconds, Titus held the mad kicking man in the stretched arm; the guards laying around with shot legs, showing no intention to proceed. The understanding crept in their tiny brains, soon come the horror. 
 - Shut up, - the inquisitor touched the screaming man's forehead. And turn to the disarrayed clerks, - stop this madness, in the name of the Emperor! - the last mindlessly running men froze, - sit down! The traitors showed themselves. Your loyalty will be checked later. Stay here. Any attempt to leave this auditorium will be considered as a treason to the Golden Throne, - Sebastian moved to the exit and commanded through the vox, - Titus picked the first too, Tapio follow me, Luisa take shooters if they are alive.  
 - They should be, inquisitor, - remarked the sniper.
 - They are, master, - verified the woman, - bleeding to death though.
 - Find a medic or make clerks show you an aid kit. We'll wait for you with those two at the exit.
 - Yes, master. - Carrying the traitors away, Titus heard bells ringing and Luisa shouting at clerks. People next to wounded guards cursed men quietly. No medic care for those, the best scenario for them is to bleed to death, gently go to eternal sleep before punishment and turning to servitors. Sebastian hasn't initiated the interrogation of discovered traitors.
 - Inquisitor! - screamed captain Juho, - the mob escaping the north-west living building! My men are attacked by civilians, no weapon used, but they are enormously outnumbered. Permission to use force before the control is lost.
 - Permission granted! Enforcers are the law and should be obeyed. Traitors are found, aggression from their supporters are possible. Keep your position.
 - Yes, my lord.
 - Servitor!
 - Decryption is in process, master.
 - The distance of the sent message? Was it meant for outsider?
 - It should be received no further than the mine, master. 
 - You've heard, captain.
 - Yes, my lord, - the leader of enforces cursed, turned off the channel and joined back, - the mob charged my men, there are casualties, my lord. They emerged across the whole perimeter, we will not hold them back!
 - Calm down, captain! Keep your position, I will take care here. The other living structure?
 - No sign of activity so far, my lord.
 - Send attacked enforcers to the town-hall, retreat in order! Other ten should keep the surveillance after the second building. Servitor! Get the flyer to me now.
 - Yes, master. 
 The inquisitor called Luisa and left the prisoners to her, wounded ones became insignificant. He sent him and the sniper to meet the retreating enforcers.
 - Cover them, fire at will.  
 They turned around the town-hall together; the enormous living building surrounded them with its wings blocking the sky; black dots appeared from two directions.
 - Take the left side, Titus, - said Tapio laying down in the red dust and immediately opening fire.
 He swallowed the rage born by pride and moved to the left. He saw running men but couldn't fire accurately from such distance. The flyer approached with thew roar of engine. Titus stopped and raised his rifle: six black enforcers coming his way, firing and swinging power maces to the mob. There were over a hundred frenzy men and women chasing them. He opened fire scything humans. The mob was very big to notice loses but enforcers did. And the fools turned to him and run. The raging crowd leapt on them tearing apart. The armored figures disappeared in living mass. 
 - Six enforces broke the line and got overrun on the left flank, inquisitor, - stated Titus kept firing, - up to eighty rioters coming to the town-hall, ignoring their loses. 
 - Ten enforces are approaching me in order, - joined Tapio, - the lesser crowd chasing them. They will make it if don't waver. 
 - Titus, cover Tapio, I'm coming to you. The town-hall, must not fall. 
 - Yes, inquisitor, - he and the hunchback answered simultaneously. Titus moved to the sniper, keep firing to the mob. They finally saw the source of death and run to him. He stopped close to Tapio, calmly shooting from the ground like it was a drill. Enforcers and the mob on the right getting closer. There were less rioters and discipline among protectors of the law. The crowd consisted of miners, who probably were resting at home between shifts. Whatever was their reason to rebel, fortunately their numbers were small. They'd be washed away if the whole settlement turned on them. He would take the inquisitor to the ship and flied away of course, but he hated to retreat. 
 - The ones on the right will flee soon, - Titus said counting approaching enemies from the left.
 - Right, - said Sebastian calmly eyeing both crowds, - we will not leave the loyal servants of the Emperor to these madmen. Tapio, look after these enforces. Titus, let's stop another crowd. The inquisitor put a hand on his heated up las-gun, - looks like a misunderstanding. It isn't too late to stop them peacefully.
 - Peacefully? - Titus snorted, - I'm sorry for expressing my opinion, inquisitor. But those people are far from stopping. It will take time to deal with them, and I'll not be able to pacify them and protect you at the same time.
 - Don't get used to it, Titus. You will not be in this fight alone. Wait for order. Sebastian made few more steps to the approaching crowd. People were frenzy, they tasted blood and wanted more. In such state even the humblest of them forget the reason and will not come back to the normal state, unconsciously running from the consequences of their outrageous paroxysm. He looked at the back of psyker's head. Who would be first, his hand or the inquisitor's mind? Sebastian wouldn't show him the back so easily. And what would he do? Run this desert of Abderra baking under the sun, those mining planets are worse than hive-worlds, at least for an Astartes. 
 - In the name of the God-Emperor! Gather your wits and stop this madness. You are attacking servants of the Administratum and His inquisitor! I will judge you fairly, - those words, mumbled and tangled, psychic echo brought to Titus' mind.
 - You will not trick us, witch! - the crowd received the message but didn't listen to it, - your masters will not take away our kin anymore! 
 - Luisa, Titus, stop them, - Sebastian produced a las-pistol and opened fire.
 - Repent! - he dropped the riffle and with raised fists run by the inquisitor shooting humans, when he saw the woman. Luisa run to the mob from the left side, her long cap flew behind, the ugly stump and the cut in the same state stood out on the dusted body. She was crying stretching her empty hands to rioters. - Repent while you still can, don't die without confession! He will embrace you...
 Titus heard no more. He charged the mob like a torpedo, tearing into the crowd, scattering fragile humans in first rows and then exploded in the center with series of lethal kicks and punches. He grabbed one by the legs and spun him around, but the man fell to pieces after the first strike. Titus ran back to the inquisitor crushing those who were trying to get to the psyker. The servo muscles screeched when in a long swing he slapped the head off the body of the miner stretching a hand with a knife to the inquisitor. Sebastian kept firing like his neck wasn't in danger at all. Titus fought not for the praise, he turned around and charge the mob again. The humans slowed down recognizing a lethal treat they couldn't overcome. Rioters were not match to him; a mere obstacle made of flesh. He felt no joy, just executed his order. Young man, aged man, short hair woman or a boy, man with augmented jaw, woman, one more woman, man with tangled hair, - Titus didn't look into their faces, they just flew around him. Glimpses of lives he was taking with single strikes. Something glowed here and there - must be enforcers clubs. Toys. He didn't try to take it away for himself. After the knife, fists are his second favorite choice. Titus kept an eye on Sebastian, who ceased to fire. The mob around him thinned out, hadn't hit him once. He saw glowing again - Luisa wielded her power sword repelling the rioters. She has killed at least a dozen. "Interesting, how good is she in real combat?" - thought Titus finishing the last humans, too blind to notice him. Several were running chased by Sebastian shots.
 - Leave them be, - commanded the inquisitor, - enforcers will deal with them. Captain Juho, report, - the vox kept silence, - Tapio!
 - All ten enforcers are with me, rioters retreating, - responded the hunchback, through the transmission his shots were heard, - no new treats are spotted.
 - Servitor, make a connection to the enforces on the mine, - he turned from the massacre, - let's speak with the saved ones. 
 Covered in blood mixed with the red dust, survived enforces in their heavy outfit looked the Imperial Law incarnate - rigid, stern and unbent. But they flinched seen him - a blood stained giant with hands crimson up to elbows. 
 - What's on vox?! - demanded Sebastian making them turn to him. Men bowed their head. One enforcer put off his helm, opening a tough face.
 - My lord, received orders to retreat, we were not contacted anymore neither tried to do so ourselves.
 - Do now, enforcer, what's the status of other units?
 - The captain doesn't respond, my lord. Neither does sergeant, - the man narrowed his eyes listening to the vox implanted next to his ear, - the group guarding the second living building saw no hostile activity nor made contact with captain Juho or others. 
 - There are no others, inquisitor, - all turned to Tapio. He was standing facing the mining facility. His lenses would beat any army field glasses, - miners are out, they are in many thousands. Enforces just didn't make the call. 
 - You are in charge of enforces now! Take the rest of your men to the flyers and took off. Send no distress call until I say so. Servitor, put enforcers to my vox. Run! - he turned to them, - we will bring the sky on them.
 Titus was calm. After all it was only not armed humans. The visor showed that the power level was high, they've been here less than for an hour. He still can do much harm even to such a crowd. But the inquisitor had his plan. Enforcers ran to their own vessels, keeping the vox communication low. At least on common channel. Titus covered the embarkation to the flyer, though it was needless - rioters were still far away. The traitors sat strapped and unconscious. They took their places too. The dusty servo-skull emerged from nowhere and flew in before the hatchet got closed.
 - Servitor, take off and put us over living buildings first. Get the loudspeaker ready, - the engine roared and the vessel took off. The craft has no portholes but the commands of Sebastian made it clear what's were going on outside. The servitor reported they were at the right spot. - Inquisitor Sebastian Silver is speaking. Loyal servants of the Imperium, stay where you are. Fear not the current unrest. Your lives are safe and fidelity is unquestioned. The Emperor protects! - Titus felt a psychic wave and the aircraft flew somewhere. The inquisitor must have commanded the servitor mentally. He looked at Tapio and Luisa, both were calm and didn't doubt their master. - Citizens of the Imperium, halt and repent! You have attacked government forces and are addressed by His inquisitor! Stop and explain yourselves, - Sebastian waited for couple seconds, - those who turn off Him will be crushed by the very sky! Servitor, a disperse maneuver, three rounds.
 So the inquisitor wasn't going to blast rioters with his abilities, understood Titus. The mob will be mown by the craft flying low over them. No need to actually touch them with the hull. The noise, heat and shock wave will do the job. That was a risky move, with altitude close to zero there were a chance to crush among the raged horde. But the servitor looked capable and the tech-priest took a good care for the craft. The automate and the vessel will put the end to the rebellion. The flyer darted down earth and then gained altitude. Two more times he felt a falling and the raising accompanied by engine hum. 
 - Servitor?
 - The rebels are scattered, the most of them are running back to the mines, master.
 - Go ahead and ground us in front of them, then turn the speaker on, - ordered Sebastian, - time to know the reason of this madness. Titus you will go with me. Tapio, cover us from the exit. Luisa, look after the traitors.
 - Leave the riffle, - mentally ordered the inquisitor and stood up when their landed. Titus went out first. They were close to the mines, it was behind the craft, but the living buildings looked small. The human sea run to them. He saw horrified faces of those in first rows. They were running by momentum and pushed by thousands behind them. 
 - Halt, in the name of the Emperor! - Sebastian's voice enforced by the speaker thundered across the valley filled with people, - Stop and repent! Explain yourselves in His eyes! I'm His inquisitor and I'll bring you a fair trial!
 Titus saw that all could hear the psyker's words and wasn't surprised when flanks shook and scattered away. The stampede occurred in the center where some were trying to stop while others to run away from the imminent punishment. Thousands died and kept dying in front of the calm inquisitor. The human mass has been shaking and rippling for few minutes full of agonizing screams. When those who chose to stay were determined, Sebastian addressed them.
 - What caused your disobedience?! Why did you attack enforcers? - the thousands strong crowd began to cry and moan. People fell to their knees, scrapped their faces and torn off their cloth, fainted and came at each other with intelligible roar. Many stayed stunned. 
 - We didn't know! They were not enforcers! They came to take us away! - in mournful cacophony Titus got such pleas and vows.
 - Silent! - thundered the inquisitor, - I see loyal servants of the Emperor got weak by fear and deceived by lies. Both are unacceptable! For He protects therefore is no fear for loyal ones. And lies should be burned out by the hands of righteous. And the lies have been crawling among you for a long time. - A new wave of exalted sorrow ran through the exhausted humans pushed by the guilt to the ground. The familiar bells rang behind; and Sebastian half-turned to him pointing with his hands, - those disgusting traitors denied their loyalty and the duty. Those and who knew of their lawless activity are accountable for today tragedy. As well as you all! But your service to the Emperor will not end. A fair trial is ahead. Listen to my word, Orson! Those who are in front of me now, pray for salvation and forgiveness, - the cacophony changed its tone from vowing and moaning to pleading and regret, - those who are still in run - stop and come back! Join your fellow-sinners and await your penance. Leave the Orson area now and will be counted as traitors forever. Those who inside living buildings and the town-hall stay there. Do not let anyone come in till the planetary authorities arrive. Those who stayed at labor stations keep working according your schedule, but don't leave the mines. Enforcers will look after the separation of obedient and rebellious. The judging hour is coming, show your remorse! Obey me, for I'm His voice! - Sebastian turned back to the raving horde asking him for forgiveness and came aboard. Looked like the most despaired one wanted to fall to Titus leg, but Astartes instinctively kicked back crushing the human skull. They took off.
 - Dud you get your order, enforcer? - Sebastian asked through the vox.
 - Yes, my lord!
 - I will send enough help to restore the order. As well as a report to the governor. I'm leaving you here. Do not dare to revenge your comrades, enforcer.
 - Yes, my lord! - the man's voice spoke of a relief of staying alive.   
 - Servitor, take us back to Ataraxis! And put me to the governor.
 - Yes, master. - In couple one and a half minutes the serf cracked, - the governor, master.
 - Inquisitor Sebastian Silver speaking on the Orson operation.
 - I'm listening, inquisitor, - the governor has been definitely just awoken. The Abderra capital must be on the other side of the planet.
 - Traitors were founded and captured, I'll interrogate them. Civilian uprising was suppressed. Ten of your enforces stayed alive, - the man grunted, - many thousands are dead, injured or currently in run, - the governor grunted louder, - send at least thousand arbiters and the Administratum personnel to bring the settlement to normal functioning. I'll send the detail report later. Your account of bringing peace and law to the damaged settlement will be awaited. That's it, governor.
 - Inquisitor! - called the ruler of Abderra before the vox channel got switched off, - may I suggest sending a unit of the Astra Militarum, considering the numbers of casualties and rioters.
 - It's not the time for the Guard, governor, - Sebastian broke off the connection. - Tech-priest?
 - Yes, inquisitor, - the servo-skull answered through the grill clogged with red dust.
 - Have you detected any xenos transmissions or unauthorized Imperial?
 - The answer is negative. Ataraxis is ready for your arrival, inquisitor.
 - You all have served well, - when the artificial gravity grabbed them, said Sebastian, - that was an easy fight which will lead us to our true enemy. The preparation may take time. Titus, wait for the tech-priest. Luisa take the prisoners.
 The inquisitor with his retinue left the ship. The robed servant asked him to wait outside. Soon familiar servitors came to do their duty. The Martian and his help came to him. A new servo-skull droned around.
 - The armour has been proven to be good. I thank you, Mechanicus, - Titus greeted the tech-priest.
 - The servitor will help you to put it off, Astartes, - squeaked three-lenses skull, - it will be cleaned, fixed if needed and recharged. The machine spirit will be praised for its service to the new owner.
 - Let me clean my armour myself, tech-priest. You will do your ritual after, - the living eye blinked. Did he consider his proposal or just asked the psyker?
 - You will be provided with all necessities, Astartes, - answered the skull when the engineseer moved inside the flyer.
 The cloaked servitor brought cleaning supplies while he was putting off the last ceramite boot.
 - This is for your armour, master, - he put a case on the floor. Above which the serf placed fresh robe, a pair of heavy boots, a flask and familiar nutritious packet. - The master told to master Titus to take care of himself, after taking care of his amour, I'll show the shower, master.
 - Alright then, - Titus was cleaning the blood off the gauntlet with a rag. Returning to war was like returning to normal existence for him.