The Emperor’s Angel of Death

#2270 - beat

"Chapter Master Alexei, the outcome of your war is satisfactory. However, we have received numerous documents alleging misconduct by the expeditionary force. Most believe these are insignificant compared to the military pressure and the actions of a renowned hero of the Imperium. Personally, I believe that victory should not come at the cost of disrupting the Imperium's order."

The Navigator Ambassador, Yora Rammal, barely finished speaking when she was interrupted by an even louder voice.

"The attack on Angstrom and the compromise with the tech-heretics of Ryza borders on betrayal!"

The Forge Master's roar echoed from the vox-caster. He occupied a massive space at the other end of the table, nearly half of the High Lords' dais. His nominally human body was encased in a mass of machinery, sparking and hissing with thick energy cables. His head was the least modified part of him, yet even it was a hairless bronze, with eyes made of emerald lenses.

"If this expedition continues, what will you change next—will you abolish the Edicts of Olympia?"

Finally, Sorshyan realized that after the carrot, the stick had arrived. But submission was not in his nature.

He chuckled and retorted, "What was Angstrom's performance during the First Badab War? Can't your advanced observatories see that, Magos Raskian? If I hadn't forced Angstrom to take a side, could you have sent an emissary to persuade them? If Mars could command any Forge World at will, this war wouldn't need us; the Adeptus Mechanicus could have completed it on their own."

A burst of static came from the Forge Master's vox-caster.

"You, you—"

Everyone knew that Mars' control over the various Forge Worlds was tenuous, but no one dared to say it to the Forge Master's face.

Thus, one could imagine Raskian's rage, with sparks flying from the sensors on his head.

"Imperial law is inviolable," said Averillisha Drakhma, the lean-faced Chief Justice, meaningfully.

"Changing legal clauses after every minor military setback is unacceptable. We hoped this expedition would be a paragon, especially for the Adeptus Astartes, but alas, it falls short of perfection."

"More importantly, after expending countless resources, Huron remains at large."

The aged Cardinal Bardo Slyst's words were more direct and aggressive. He was second only to Hame Tyrion in his love for excessive ornamentation, placing his heavily ringed hands on the stone table before him and staring at Sorshyan with a prophetic, chilling gaze.

"We have not satisfied the Emperor's will, a manifestation of weak faith."

"If you desire a flawless expedition, why not choose a flawless man? I am merely an Astartes."

"However, Huron's escape does not seem accidental."

Inquisitor Kliopatra Eris cast a cold gaze over Sorshyan, and said slowly, "According to battle reports and post-war reports from the Maelstrom Conclaves, it seems your misjudgment led to Huron's escape from the battlefield. Of course, I am not accusing you, as you were the one in the fight, not us. No one here can criticize you in this war, because no one could have done better. But I hope you understand our responsibility. Huron's survival means that the results of this expedition may soon be in vain."

Sorshyan remained expressionless. In the sunlight, his face was as hard as the marble statues in the plaza. He replied blandly, "I admit it is my responsibility."

At that moment, his heart was filled with disgust and weariness. For some reason, he even found the Eldar's Eternal Court preferable. At least even knowing he was a human, they would bow and scrape.

At least in that place, he was the master, and no one dared question him like this.

"Ahem."

With Hame Tyrion's cough, all sound ceased.

"Nevertheless, Chapter Master Alexei, you have contained the rampant threat of heretic pirates in the Maelstrom region. We are not accusing you, but our duty requires us to address any potential larger problems... Put these matters aside. To commend your contributions and achievements, I, on behalf of the Throne and the Imperial Senate, bestow upon you the honorary title of 'Guardian of the Maelstrom' and the Throne's Highest Honor. Your deeds and glory will be spread throughout the Imperium. In addition, the Star Phantoms Chapter will be granted control and recruitment rights over several worlds near their homeworld in the Tempest System."

The rewards were decent, but Sorshyan felt as disgusted as if he had swallowed a fly.

Because he knew that 'Guardian of the Maelstrom' was once Huron's title. Giving him this title was more of a warning—the High Lords were telling him that they would not allow a second Star Phantoms to rise, and they would be watching him constantly.

Soon, ten red-clad guards wielding halberds marched in. One carried an aquila banner, the design of which was two swords piercing the head of a roaring beast, which resembled the Star Phantoms' former chapter symbol. The two swords were the symbol of the Star Phantoms.

But from another perspective, it was essentially a combination of the Star Phantoms and Star Phantoms chapter symbols.

Sorshyan knew the High Lords were deliberately trying to disgust him, using the Star Phantoms symbol instead of the Red Corsairs symbol.

Another guard held a red silk cushion, on which lay an ornate medal. Its main feature was a double-headed eagle wearing a crown and surrounded by olive branches, with a base inlaid with red and green gemstones. Above the double-headed eagle, where it connected to the ribbon, was an even larger镂空皇宫, with a glittering diamond in the crown.

The Throne's Highest Honor was arguably the highest-ranking medal in the Imperium after the Horus Heresy, also known as the Crown Medal. It was said that no more than one hundred people had been awarded it in the past ten thousand years.

Although he felt resentful, Sorshyan could only step down from his seat and approach the dais where Tyrion stood. Fortunately, he was not asked to kneel, or he would have refused.

Tyrion stood up, using the terrain to nearly meet Sorshyan's gaze, then picked up the medal from the red silk cushion held by a nearby guard.

"On behalf of the Imperial Senate, I commend your immortal achievements. Under the gaze of the Throne, I hereby award you, Sorshyan Alexei, the Throne's Highest Honor, hoping you will continue to carry out the Emperor's will."

Sorshyan lowered his head slightly. Tyrion stepped forward and attached the magnetic medal to the chest of his armor.

At that moment, Sorshyan heard him whisper, "Do not worry, their lives are short, merely fleeting passersby in your long glory."

When Tyrion straightened up, he wore a smile. Sorshyan felt complicated but silently turned to accept the banner.

It seemed everything had come to an end.