Family. Duty. Honor.

Continued from here:

[[flashforward]]

Achilles, Artyom and Ana stood before Noel. The three men were in an intense conversation about how they would weaken the imperial loyalists from within. As someone who was deeply involved in the defense of psykers and mutants, Noel often had to deal with those who came from imperial communities. Those people knew well the depths of the hypocrisy and idiocy present in the Imperial Cult. Even better, they were dissilussioned with it.

What better way to deal a death blow to the imperial loyalists who'd been a thorn on the side of the system for too long?

Continued from here:

Artyom interlocked his fingers. "You see, I have always believed the Imperium would have a chance if it put asside its hatred of xenos, and allied with those who aren't rotten apples like the drukhari and rak'gol. The problem is they inherited the Emperor's belief his was the only way to save humanity."

Achilles took a deep breath. "Akhenaten told me about the Interex and Diasporex. Human civilizations which survived by allying with xenos. They were destroyed for deviating from the Corpse-God's vision. And he couldn't afford the imperium's civilians realizing that not all xenos turned preyed on humans during the Age of Strife. I believe that would make the civilians realize how much of a clown he was, and dump his sorry ass just like he deserved."

Ana raised an eyebrow. “Forgive me if I’m wrong but I’m sensing a proposal here.” She shifted her position. “If so I’m interested.”

"You are correct in asuming we want an alliance with you and whoever else is in league with the Starchild. Our top priority creating propaganda which will be directed at the pro-imperials who still live in the system. They are descendants of the second wave of human migration which happened during the reign of blood. Part of the Imperials never adapted to Alpheccan society, and believed their counterparts who did were just as damned as the descendants of Dark Age of Technology humans who were taken in by the xenos. According to a pro-imperial preacher, the Age of Strife survivors should have let themselves die rather than accept the Chr'ok's help."

Achilles narrowed his eyes as he listened to Artyom's words. He was well aware of the conflict, having taking part in the Celestial Geists' takeover of the system. They had earned the good will of the Alpheccans by helping them defeat the imperial sympathizers who were in the process of contacting the authorities in Footfall and Port Wander to launch a plan to bring over the Alphecca system to the Imperial fold.

Continued from here:

Artyom interlocked his fingers. "You see, I have always believed the Imperium would have a chance if it put asside its hatred of xenos, and allied with those who aren't rotten apples like the drukhari and rak'gol. The problem is they inherited the Emperor's belief his was the only way to save humanity."

Achilles took a deep breath. "Akhenaten told me about the Interex and Diasporex. Human civilizations which survived by allying with xenos. They were destroyed for deviating from the Corpse-God's vision. And he couldn't afford the imperium's civilians realizing that not all xenos turned preyed on humans during the Age of Strife. I believe that would make the civilians realize how much of a clown he was, and dump his sorry ass just like he deserved."

Continued from here:

The two men listened carefully as Ana told her tale. For Artyom, the Starchild semt to be the complete oppossite to the Carrion Lord. A merciful being. Ana had been lucky it had saved her.

"What did the Starchild told you? What proof did it gave you that it was who it claimed to be? Because it could be a daemon who saved you to gain your good will, then corrupt you when your guard was low. I have had the misfortune of meeting beings like that." Even though Achilles had been aware of the Starchild's existence for a long time, he still didn't trust it.

“Honestly, that question has definitely crossed my mind in rare quiet moments of dread.” Ana had also encountered daemons pretending to be something more benign in her time, which was why when she herself had first heard of this being, she had been naturally skeptical of the claims about it. “But when I finally met it face to face…..it was probably the warmest, kindest peaceful thing I had ever felt in my life. Normally I can sort of tell when a daemon is pretending to be something, it doesn’t seem to feel quite right but this…..it felt like a spark of life itself if you know what I’m getting at here.”

“I can’t really say our initial talk was all that long. I asked it if it was the Starchild and it said yes. I also inquired if it was the being that saved our ship and it confirmed this. And I naturally asked how would I know if it wasn’t a daemon attempting to lure me in with another malicious scheme…..to which it promptly replied that if I wished to know its true nature, then I would journey to a remote monastery and undergo a purification ritual. Then, if it wasn’t a daemon, it would appear later that night in a dream and we could continue our conversation then. Then it was gone.”

“So…..I did as it asked. And after a grueling journey and one rather…..intense ritual later, I fell asleep exhausted in the monastery’s pilgrim’s quarters……” She went on to describe the following dream in great detail, how in said dream her and the Starchild were in a small rowboat in the middle of an unusually calm sea with a night sky full of stars overhead that reflected perfectly off the water beneath them. She told of how they spoke of the past and their regrets, hopes for the future of humanity.

“And then, when I woke up, I had this mark on me.” She lifted the right side of her shirt to reveal a unique and elaborate mark that almost looked as though it had been inked into her skin.

“I’ve had encounters with forces of Chaos since then but each time I’ve channeled a little of its power, it burns all daemons just the same.”

Achilles had heard stories about the Emperor's light burning daemons. One such case had been when he acted through a girl during the Plague Wars. He'd heard about the incident from imperial refugee witnesses.

As he studied the mark he remembered Akhenaten had told him that the Emperor's power was one of the things that hurt her. A result of the flesh change which afflicted her. The biomancer had also experienced burning pain when being near any of the altars Ana had built in the Starchild's honor.

And Akhenaten's experiences mirrored his own, specially after becoming undead. He still remembered the pain from the miracles the sisters of battle performed through their faith in the Emperor.

"So the Starchild is who they claim to be. A fragment of the Emperor which represents all the best parts of him. Only the kindness of gold without Order."

"Only the kindness of gold without Order. A good way to describe the Starchild's light, Achilles. I wonder what they would think of us Alpheccans and our history. Specifically because of Him on Earth's beliefs of humanity's supremacy and purity of the human form." Artyom couldn't hide the bitterness in his voice.

Continued from here:

The two men listened carefully as Ana told her tale. For Artyom, the Starchild semt to be the complete oppossite to the Carrion Lord. A merciful being. Ana had been lucky it had saved her.

"What did the Starchild told you? What proof did it gave you that it was who it claimed to be? Because it could be a daemon who saved you to gain your good will, then corrupt you when your guard was low. I have had the misfortune of meeting beings like that." Even though Achilles had been aware of the Starchild's existence for a long time, he still didn't trust it.

Continued from here:

"I saw a lot of the native marine fauna. Krakens, leviathans, creatures that looked like a xenos version of terran dolphins or whales, swarm-eaters, sunseekers, oceanfiends, vesminids, xenos avian creatures, longnecks, plus others whose names I do not know. The study of fauna is more of Akhenaten's domain. I will have to ask Artyom about the marine fauna. He surely knows a lot about it."

To his left was a mural of what could be described as xenos fishes. The creatures were of varied colors and sizes. Some of them reminded him of the pictcaptures of terra's long gone deep sea fishes he'd found in books stored in stasis-rooms of dark age of technology ruins.

"Do you think Artyom was the one who painted the mural?"

“That sounds amazing. Maybe I should go out to see sometime. With some offerings for the Abyssal lord of course.”

Ana followed Achilles’s gaze to the mural on the wall, taking in the colorful visage that appeared before her. In some ways it reminded her of how a navigator she had met many centuries ago had once described the Warp to her, or at least how she saw it with her third eye.

“Maybe so, we might ask him when he comes back.”

TIMESKIP

Their talk was interrupted by the sounds of Artyom's footsteps. Achilles welcomed the priest. "Greetings, we've expecting you. I've been wanting to ask if it was you who painted the mural."

Artyom smiled at him with a mouth filled with needle-like teeth. It reminded the master of the forge of one of the xenos fishes he'd seen depicted on the mural. Were they made in the image of the Abyssal one? From what Noel had told him, all priests carried the mark of their gods.

How would the astartes look like if he had been given to Ma'lok?

"I painted the mural years ago. It took me over a year to complete it. I hunted for references for I sought to depict the creatures of the sea as truthfully as possible. I wanted to show She'linak's glory."

Artyom's eyes met Achilles'. +I see you, moon-scented one.+ The astartes sensed the priest looking into his soul. +I see you too, oceansoul.+, he answered. Though he felt as if he were in the presence of a shark, Achilles did not cringe for him. Why should he? He was a proud heir of the legacy of Sacred Mars.

Sometimes the psyker priests of this system made Ana feel a bit uneasy, especially if they were far enough along in their transformation so as to appear particularly uncanny. Even Artyom, as hospitable as he appeared in this moment, couldn’t help but elicit the feeling that she was being observed by a predator. This was added onto by his soul appearing like a deep sea in her witch-sight. She wondered what Artyom must see now as he looked at her. Would he see The Other Soul? Would he see the Star Child’s influence on her own? It seemed that ever since that fateful day she first encountered the being when the Cicatrix Maledictum opened its yawning maw for the first time, other psykers who looked into her soul had seen a bright, warm light that elicited feelings of peace and calm, like the eye of a raging storm or the embrace of a loved one. If that was what he saw what would he think?

“Well Artyom I thank you for your hospitality.” She stood and bowed respectfully to him.

Just as Ana had suspected, Artyom could feel the Starchild's presence. He perceived it as a bright golden light with all of the gravitas would expect from the Emperor of Man. However, it did not give off any feelings of tyranny nor oppresiveness. Instead, it brought the priest mental images of the sun's warm rays. Its presence was familiar and comforting.

Only the kindess of gold without Order.

Still, Artyom felt on edge.

"Tell me, how did He on Terra attach to your soul? Are these the parts of him he severed from himself, so he could kill his favored son like legends claim? We know these are the best parts of Him, however you should know we do not have a positive image of the Corpsed-One in this system. Not after what he did to humanity and other species."

Achilles shared Artyom's feelings. He had grown up hearing how the Emperor planned to kill the astartes after the Great Crusade was over, just like he had done to the Thunder Warriors at the end of the Unification Wars. He felt no sympathy towards such an ungrateful man. He had no qualms about telling Ana how he truly felt about the Carrion Emperor while he looked her in the eye the first time he felt the Starchild's presence. Witnesses later described his aura as homicidal.

Continued from here:

"I saw a lot of the native marine fauna. Krakens, leviathans, creatures that looked like a xenos version of terran dolphins or whales, swarm-eaters, sunseekers, oceanfiends, vesminids, xenos avian creatures, longnecks, plus others whose names I do not know. The study of fauna is more of Akhenaten's domain. I will have to ask Artyom about the marine fauna. He surely knows a lot about it."

To his left was a mural of what could be described as xenos fishes. The creatures were of varied colors and sizes. Some of them reminded him of the pictcaptures of terra's long gone deep sea fishes he'd found in books stored in stasis-rooms of dark age of technology ruins.

"Do you think Artyom was the one who painted the mural?"

“That sounds amazing. Maybe I should go out to see sometime. With some offerings for the Abyssal lord of course.”

Ana followed Achilles’s gaze to the mural on the wall, taking in the colorful visage that appeared before her. In some ways it reminded her of how a navigator she had met many centuries ago had once described the Warp to her, or at least how she saw it with her third eye.

“Maybe so, we might ask him when he comes back.”

TIMESKIP

Their talk was interrupted by the sounds of Artyom's footsteps. Achilles welcomed the priest. "Greetings, we've expecting you. I've been wanting to ask if it was you who painted the mural."

Artyom smiled at him with a mouth filled with needle-like teeth. It reminded the master of the forge of one of the xenos fishes he'd seen depicted on the mural. Were they made in the image of the Abyssal one? From what Noel had told him, all priests carried the mark of their gods.

How would the astartes look like if he had been given to Ma'lok?

"I painted the mural years ago. It took me over a year to complete it. I hunted for references for I sought to depict the creatures of the sea as truthfully as possible. I wanted to show She'linak's glory."

Artyom's eyes met Achilles'. +I see you, moon-scented one.+ The astartes sensed the priest looking into his soul. +I see you too, oceansoul.+, he answered. Though he felt as if he were in the presence of a shark, Achilles did not cringe for him. Why should he? He was a proud heir of the legacy of Sacred Mars.

Continued from here:

"I saw a lot of the native marine fauna. Krakens, leviathans, creatures that looked like a xenos version of terran dolphins or whales, swarm-eaters, sunseekers, oceanfiends, vesminids, xenos avian creatures, longnecks, plus others whose names I do not know. The study of fauna is more of Akhenaten's domain. I will have to ask Artyom about the marine fauna. He surely knows a lot about it."

To his left was a mural of what could be described as xenos fishes. The creatures were of varied colors and sizes. Some of them reminded him of the pictcaptures of terra's long gone deep sea fishes he'd found in books stored in stasis-rooms of dark age of technology ruins.

"Do you think Artyom was the one who painted the mural?"

Continued from here:

Achilles was glad for his telekinesis, for the amount of offerings he'd received were enormous. He wondered what was exactly what made the fishermen believe he was a marine spirit. Perhaps it was that he came from the sea in a tiny nutshell? People believed things for the strangest of reasons. Still, he wouldn't deny the adoration felt good even if it came from a case of mistaken identity.

As they got closer to the temple he felt like someone was looking at him. It wasn't Shel'inak, for the presence didn't carry the spark of divinity. +Ana, did you notice that too?+ His cybernetics scanned the perimeter in search of any threat.

They caught a being that could be described as an humanoid who had evolved to live in the sea swimming towards them. It must have sensed his hostility, for he spoke to him in a voice that could be described as warm and friendly.

+Ah, so you must be Achilles. Noel has told me a lot about you. I had no idea that he was dating someone. I have been wanting to meet you for quite a while. My name is Artyom Kuznetzov.+

The name rang a bell. +Artyom? Are you the father of that grandnephew Noel complains about, Adelheid?+ He refrained from repeating the names his lover had called Artyom's son.

+The one and only. Come, I want to take a closer look at you.+

As Achilles approached the coast he was greeted by Artyom coming out of the sea. His movements were clumsy, like a seal moving on land. "I see you have brought offerings. They are always welcome. Please come, there is plenty I wish to speak about."

Achilles followed him to the temple. It wasn't as splendid as other temples he'd seen, but he couldn't deny it had a certain charm. It felt homely.

"You can lay down the offerings in front of Shel'inak's altar. Make sure to pay your respects."

Achilles had no idea how to do such thing. He settled for doing what he'd seen Noel doing during religious ceremonies. The astartes clasped his hands and bowed deeply. Hopefully it would be enough. He then gently laid down the offerings on the altar.

Ana grabbed up a great many offerings in her arms as well, and a few others hovered about her head as she lifted more objects with her mind, copying Achilles’s example.

As they walked towards the temple she couldn’t help but notice the new presence as well. *Yeah I do. Sea creature?* She hadn’t been too far off the mark as it turned out, as the fish-being that called itself Artyom swam up next to them and hauled himself up onto land. As far as priests in this system went he looked as heavily changed by his calling as the others had, a sign of great time spent in this duty as she had come to know.

“How long have you been a priest here Artyom?” Ana asked him politely after she had respectfully laid her own offerings down at the sea god’s altar.

"I have been a priest here for 35 years. I was contacted by the previous one before she retired from health issues. I accepted to take her place."

Achilles studied Artyom. The priest had become quite changed through his bond to the Abyssal one, but there was something about him which reminded the astartes of Adelheid. It must be the sense of self-confidence with which both men carried themselves. A trait he admired.

Artyom excused himself. "I must take a shower and change into my robes. I'll be back in around an hour."

The astartes watched the priest until he dissappeared into his private waters. "Ana, you said you wanted to ask me about my trip. What exactly do you wish to know?"

Though his words were polite, he still mantained his distance. Previous experiences had made it hard for him to trust others. People could be deceiving. He wanted to see for himself if Ana was just as good as Akhenaten and Noel claimed she was.

Ana looked up at him. “I suppose I wanted to ask you what it was like. What you experienced or what you learned along the way I guess.” The perpetual herself was no stranger to long journeys across vast stretches of water but never magically shrunken down in a nutshell. “And also why you choose to travel the way you did.”

"I wanted to put in practice the skills Akhenaten had taught me. She's been training me for a long time. Says I have a lot of potential. Honestly, I have noticed an increase in my power ever since then."

He sat down on the floor and crossed his legs. There was something about the temple that put him at ease. Like someone was watching over him.

"There are plenty of things I experienced, I would not know where to start. But I can tell you about the beings of the sea. The sea overflows with life. Endless forms most beautiful. I can understand the poets that write praise the vast sea. Oh, sea starved, hungering sea."

Continued from here:

Achilles was glad for his telekinesis, for the amount of offerings he'd received were enormous. He wondered what was exactly what made the fishermen believe he was a marine spirit. Perhaps it was that he came from the sea in a tiny nutshell? People believed things for the strangest of reasons. Still, he wouldn't deny the adoration felt good even if it came from a case of mistaken identity.

As they got closer to the temple he felt like someone was looking at him. It wasn't Shel'inak, for the presence didn't carry the spark of divinity. +Ana, did you notice that too?+ His cybernetics scanned the perimeter in search of any threat.

They caught a being that could be described as an humanoid who had evolved to live in the sea swimming towards them. It must have sensed his hostility, for he spoke to him in a voice that could be described as warm and friendly.

+Ah, so you must be Achilles. Noel has told me a lot about you. I had no idea that he was dating someone. I have been wanting to meet you for quite a while. My name is Artyom Kuznetzov.+

The name rang a bell. +Artyom? Are you the father of that grandnephew Noel complains about, Adelheid?+ He refrained from repeating the names his lover had called Artyom's son.

+The one and only. Come, I want to take a closer look at you.+

As Achilles approached the coast he was greeted by Artyom coming out of the sea. His movements were clumsy, like a seal moving on land. "I see you have brought offerings. They are always welcome. Please come, there is plenty I wish to speak about."

Achilles followed him to the temple. It wasn't as splendid as other temples he'd seen, but he couldn't deny it had a certain charm. It felt homely.

"You can lay down the offerings in front of Shel'inak's altar. Make sure to pay your respects."

Achilles had no idea how to do such thing. He settled for doing what he'd seen Noel doing during religious ceremonies. The astartes clasped his hands and bowed deeply. Hopefully it would be enough. He then gently laid down the offerings on the altar.

Ana grabbed up a great many offerings in her arms as well, and a few others hovered about her head as she lifted more objects with her mind, copying Achilles’s example.

As they walked towards the temple she couldn’t help but notice the new presence as well. *Yeah I do. Sea creature?* She hadn’t been too far off the mark as it turned out, as the fish-being that called itself Artyom swam up next to them and hauled himself up onto land. As far as priests in this system went he looked as heavily changed by his calling as the others had, a sign of great time spent in this duty as she had come to know.

“How long have you been a priest here Artyom?” Ana asked him politely after she had respectfully laid her own offerings down at the sea god’s altar.

"I have been a priest here for 35 years. I was contacted by the previous one before she retired from health issues. I accepted to take her place."

Achilles studied Artyom. The priest had become quite changed through his bond to the Abyssal one, but there was something about him which reminded the astartes of Adelheid. It must be the sense of self-confidence with which both men carried themselves. A trait he admired.

Artyom excused himself. "I must take a shower and change into my robes. I'll be back in around an hour."

The astartes watched the priest until he dissappeared into his private waters. "Ana, you said you wanted to ask me about my trip. What exactly do you wish to know?"

Though his words were polite, he still mantained his distance. Previous experiences had made it hard for him to trust others. People could be deceiving. He wanted to see for himself if Ana was just as good as Akhenaten and Noel claimed she was.

Continued from here:

Achilles was glad for his telekinesis, for the amount of offerings he'd received were enormous. He wondered what was exactly what made the fishermen believe he was a marine spirit. Perhaps it was that he came from the sea in a tiny nutshell? People believed things for the strangest of reasons. Still, he wouldn't deny the adoration felt good even if it came from a case of mistaken identity.

As they got closer to the temple he felt like someone was looking at him. It wasn't Shel'inak, for the presence didn't carry the spark of divinity. +Ana, did you notice that too?+ His cybernetics scanned the perimeter in search of any threat.

They caught a being that could be described as an humanoid who had evolved to live in the sea swimming towards them. It must have sensed his hostility, for he spoke to him in a voice that could be described as warm and friendly.

+Ah, so you must be Achilles. Noel has told me a lot about you. I had no idea that he was dating someone. I have been wanting to meet you for quite a while. My name is Artyom Kuznetzov.+

The name rang a bell. +Artyom? Are you the father of that grandnephew Noel complains about, Adelheid?+ He refrained from repeating the names his lover had called Artyom's son.

+The one and only. Come, I want to take a closer look at you.+

As Achilles approached the coast he was greeted by Artyom coming out of the sea. His movements were clumsy, like a seal moving on land. "I see you have brought offerings. They are always welcome. Please come, there is plenty I wish to speak about."

Achilles followed him to the temple. It wasn't as splendid as other temples he'd seen, but he couldn't deny it had a certain charm. It felt homely.

"You can lay down the offerings in front of Shel'inak's altar. Make sure to pay your respects."

Achilles had no idea how to do such thing. He settled for doing what he'd seen Noel doing during religious ceremonies. The astartes clasped his hands and bowed deeply. Hopefully it would be enough. He then gently laid down the offerings on the altar.

Continued from here:

Achilles also felt Shel'inak's presence. +This is oddly familiar. But it feels like they are looking at me instead of singing. Akhenaten once told me that she was the sun, and I was the moon. When I replied that I found that strange because the moon was female, she smiled. In some cultures the moon is a man.+

The Abyssal One smiled. It liked this one. It was amazing to gaze upon a lunar soul.

+And the dance between the sea and the moon has happened for centuries.+

He clasped his hands above his head as he spoke blessings for safe travels and a bountiful catch. Achilles had never considered himself a poet, but he did his best in keeping his words genuine.

Ana liked the comparison. A celestial dance across centuries of time. It was unlike the Forgemaster in her experience to make such statements. *You’ll have to tell me about your time on the sea* her psychic voice whispered in his mind as she lifted him above the adoring crowd.

+But of course. After I finish the blessings.+

He honestly lost track time during the next moments. It was easy to get caught in saying every blessing he could think of. Some of them were inspired by prayers he'd heard from fishermen while he was at sea.

Achilles realized it was getting late by the position of the sun in the sky. +Ana, we should get going. Else we will be here all day.+

The forgemaster excused himself, claiming he was exhausted. The villagers gave him their farewells and said they hoped to him again. Everyone returned to their homes, thus leaving him and Ana alone.

+Now, could you please put me on the ground? I need to change back to my usual self.+

Ana’s arms had begun to tire from endlessly lifting Achilles into the air, and was thus more than a little relieved to be able to set him back down. “Get to it then, I’ll be ready when you are.”

"Just let me get out of this nutshell. Ah, it feels so good to put my feet on the ground!"

And just like that Achilles spoke the magic words which transformed him back to his usual self. The astartes stretched his arms. "Being diminute for a long time definitely felt cramped." A mechadendrite picked the little nutshell ship. "I will keep this. Definitely will put it somewhere in my office. By the way, is there any temple where we could take all of these offerings? Specially the food."

Continued from here:

Achilles also felt Shel'inak's presence. +This is oddly familiar. But it feels like they are looking at me instead of singing. Akhenaten once told me that she was the sun, and I was the moon. When I replied that I found that strange because the moon was female, she smiled. In some cultures the moon is a man.+

The Abyssal One smiled. It liked this one. It was amazing to gaze upon a lunar soul.

+And the dance between the sea and the moon has happened for centuries.+

He clasped his hands above his head as he spoke blessings for safe travels and a bountiful catch. Achilles had never considered himself a poet, but he did his best in keeping his words genuine.

Ana liked the comparison. A celestial dance across centuries of time. It was unlike the Forgemaster in her experience to make such statements. *You’ll have to tell me about your time on the sea* her psychic voice whispered in his mind as she lifted him above the adoring crowd.

+But of course. After I finish the blessings.+

He honestly lost track time during the next moments. It was easy to get caught in saying every blessing he could think of. Some of them were inspired by prayers he'd heard from fishermen while he was at sea.

Achilles realized it was getting late by the position of the sun in the sky. +Ana, we should get going. Else we will be here all day.+

The forgemaster excused himself, claiming he was exhausted. The villagers gave him their farewells and said they hoped to him again. Everyone returned to their homes, thus leaving him and Ana alone.

+Now, could you please put me on the ground? I need to change back to my usual self.+

Continued from here:

Achilles also felt Shel'inak's presence. +This is oddly familiar. But it feels like they are looking at me instead of singing. Akhenaten once told me that she was the sun, and I was the moon. When I replied that I found that strange because the moon was female, she smiled. In some cultures the moon is a man.+

The Abyssal One smiled. It liked this one. It was amazing to gaze upon a lunar soul.

+And the dance between the sea and the moon has happened for centuries.+

He clasped his hands above his head as he spoke blessings for safe travels and a bountiful catch. Achilles had never considered himself a poet, but he did his best in keeping his words genuine.

The astartes didn't expect to find Ana in this place. Did she come here on vacation? Sightseeing was something some people enjoyed doing. He turned around to look at the fishermen who had noticed the perpetual talking to him.

"Well, I felt the calling of the sea. I do not know how it happened, only that it started when I finally began to heal from the damage I suffered. So one day when I was in Beach City I decided to put in practice some folk magic Akhenaten had taught me. I made a ship using a nutshell, and then I shrunk myself. Used my powers to push my boat into the sea. It was a rough trip considering that sometimes the sea got rowdy. But here I am."

The crowd came closer until they were a few meters away of them. They chatted excitedly among themselves, for they believed Achilles' presence was an auspicious sign. One of them, an elderly man, went down on his knees and made a supplicating gesture. "Oh, beloved child of the sea, please grant us a bountiful catch and peaceful seas."

Now that made Achilles' eyes open wide.

“At least your calling to the seems more pleasant than mine.” Ana said with a slight shudder. Generally, Ana didn’t mind on the sea but for some reason, the oceans of this particular planet felt haunted by a deep dark presence, like something hungry waiting beneath the waves for her to slip. She knew the locals here worshiped a deity called Shel’inak that was the great god of the sea, and that it was a hungry thing, waiting for anyone foolish enough to enter its realm. As a result, Ana typically avoided getting out on a boat here if she could.

The crowd gathered around them and interrupted any further thoughts on the perpetual’s mind. Initially confused, it soon became apparent what was happening and that confusion gave way to amusement. “Seems you’ve attracted a fan club, beloved child of the sea.” A wry smile appeared on her ageless features.

Achilles wasn't surprised about Ana's reaction. Some people reported feeling stalked by She'linak. Had the perpetual suffered any nightmares? He would have to ask her later. Currently he was too busy with the adoring crowd. A few of them had arrived carrying offerings of driftwood, dairy products, fruit, sweets and fish. It felt good being adored, even if it was because of mistaken identity.

"Ana, could you please lift me up? It seems these people want me to bless their boats."

The astartes didn't expect to find Ana in this place. Did she come here on vacation? Sightseeing was something some people enjoyed doing. He turned around to look at the fishermen who had noticed the perpetual talking to him.

"Well, I felt the calling of the sea. I do not know how it happened, only that it started when I finally began to heal from the damage I suffered. So one day when I was in Beach City I decided to put in practice some folk magic Akhenaten had taught me. I made a ship using a nutshell, and then I shrunk myself. Used my powers to push my boat into the sea. It was a rough trip considering that sometimes the sea got rowdy. But here I am."

The crowd came closer until they were a few meters away of them. They chatted excitedly among themselves, for they believed Achilles' presence was an auspicious sign. One of them, an elderly man, went down on his knees and made a supplicating gesture. "Oh, beloved child of the sea, please grant us a bountiful catch and peaceful seas."

Now that made Achilles' eyes open wide.

Continued from here:

"Yes, indeed. Domestic xeno tech. I have met eccentric nobles who had such oddities in their homes, but perhaps it may interest the average person. The microwave in question heats food better than imperial microwaves. And as for future transactions, please allow me some time to think about it."

The reason being he wanted to see if the cogitator parts were of good quality. He didn't want another exploding cogitator.

He took out pen and paper out from a pocket and wrote something on it.

"Here is my vox number. What is yours, by the way?"

Quite fasinated by the strange xeno tech they kept looking over the microwave system as they shifted and moved around it like terrier who found something interesting. A mumbled acknowagement came from them as they were still leaning over to examin the difference, till they snapped out of curious investigation. "Oh of course, my friii....lord. I wouldn't of dared of fathomed you had anything in mind at this moment."

Pulling out a pad of recipts, from their pocket, they wrote down their own vox number for dealings of specialized clients. Ripping it off the paper pad, they trotted over. "This is my phone number for any further communications for trades." There was a moment of hesitation as they recalled the sharp powerlessness invoked previously by the marine before snatching away and giving up their vox number to the space marine. "And please enjoy your parts Lord. I do hope they can assist you in your... hobby." The word didn't feel right when talking to a space marine but there wasn't really anything better to use for a superhuman that could crush Eban in one hand if they so felt like it.

Achilles nodded as he took the note in his hand. The fact the merchant addressed him formally didn't go unnoticed. Good. He didn't want them getting too familiar. No need of having someone sticking their nose where it didn't belong.

"I will be getting in touch should I get my hands in anything interesting. Farewell."

In the following weeks the old cogitator got brought to life thanks to the spare parts. Achilles spent a lot of time doing tests to make sure everything worked perfectly. There were some technical difficulties, but it wasn't nothing he couldn't fix.

Three months later Eban received a vox call, this time about drukhari weapons.