01-10-2015, 11:29 AM
Martin's demeanor changed. Not that he wasn't practiced at keeping his feelings from showing. An Inquisitor, especially the High inquisitor, had to have that particular talent as they sought out the truth.
But Regus had known him from the time he was recruited, had mentored him and trained him. Martin was very pleased with the assignment. He would do well as the head of the High Canticle and the First Order.
His wallet chimed its reminder even as he reached for it, aware of the time. His meeting with the Stasya representatives would be held in half an hour at their offices. This was not a task to delegate. He needed to see first hand what they had to offer. This was the third such meeting with dealers like them. So far, he'd seen only a few items that seemed to fit their needs. He hoped to find a few old relics, the ones the legends and texts spoke of that had given them the ability to wipe out the gods. If for nothing else than to demonstrate to the Atharim that they had done this before and would do it again.
Very likely, though, their weapons would be modern. But, he had decided, they would have to be unconventional. This was a guerrilla war. The video of the Abomination had made that clear. Regular weapons would kill only if they survived to get close enough. No, they needed things a god could not defend against. As head of the Order, Martin would need to know them intimately.
There was one other, smaller, matter first, though. "One final thing, Martin. Father Stone's charges. Specifically the woman Aria. She is a Sentient." He let his disgust show. "The man who let her live and hid it from us has been taken care of. And I have given her her assigned execution." He looked at the man hardly. With Martin he could be more open than with others. "She is to try to kill the Ascendancy, the one we know as Apollyon. She will fail and die, of course. But in doing so she will provide us with good information. She seems particularly adept at killing things that the texts say require a team. Ijiraq, Draikana. Very likely, her approach to Ascendancy will be novel and have a better chance at success when your Order uses it. It will expose a weakness in him even as she is removed from the picture." Simple, clean, elegant.
"In the meantime, you are to be her handler. Use her. Watch her for any signs of a shift in loyalty. You have my permission to kill her if you deem it necessary."
The man nodded. He understood. Regus stood. The need to express gratitude was not there. This was his job. Martin would do his job. "You will accompany me to a meeting with the Stasya Group. Your Order will need material."
But Regus had known him from the time he was recruited, had mentored him and trained him. Martin was very pleased with the assignment. He would do well as the head of the High Canticle and the First Order.
His wallet chimed its reminder even as he reached for it, aware of the time. His meeting with the Stasya representatives would be held in half an hour at their offices. This was not a task to delegate. He needed to see first hand what they had to offer. This was the third such meeting with dealers like them. So far, he'd seen only a few items that seemed to fit their needs. He hoped to find a few old relics, the ones the legends and texts spoke of that had given them the ability to wipe out the gods. If for nothing else than to demonstrate to the Atharim that they had done this before and would do it again.
Very likely, though, their weapons would be modern. But, he had decided, they would have to be unconventional. This was a guerrilla war. The video of the Abomination had made that clear. Regular weapons would kill only if they survived to get close enough. No, they needed things a god could not defend against. As head of the Order, Martin would need to know them intimately.
There was one other, smaller, matter first, though. "One final thing, Martin. Father Stone's charges. Specifically the woman Aria. She is a Sentient." He let his disgust show. "The man who let her live and hid it from us has been taken care of. And I have given her her assigned execution." He looked at the man hardly. With Martin he could be more open than with others. "She is to try to kill the Ascendancy, the one we know as Apollyon. She will fail and die, of course. But in doing so she will provide us with good information. She seems particularly adept at killing things that the texts say require a team. Ijiraq, Draikana. Very likely, her approach to Ascendancy will be novel and have a better chance at success when your Order uses it. It will expose a weakness in him even as she is removed from the picture." Simple, clean, elegant.
"In the meantime, you are to be her handler. Use her. Watch her for any signs of a shift in loyalty. You have my permission to kill her if you deem it necessary."
The man nodded. He understood. Regus stood. The need to express gratitude was not there. This was his job. Martin would do his job. "You will accompany me to a meeting with the Stasya Group. Your Order will need material."