The Galaxy of Warhammer 40k is scary and dangerous even as a member of human nobility. In fact, it might actually be more dangerous given scheming amongst the nobles and how easily things could change if the Inquisition ever so much had a whiff of corruption. Good thing that his family had a Rogue Trader Charter. His siblings could have everything while he gets to be as far away as possible and be free to do whatever he wants! It's the perfect plan. What could possibly go wrong?
Fuck That, I’m Going To Be A Rogue Trader Instead! [Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader SI]
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Prologue
New
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- A Tropical Island in the Pacific
Returning to the Family Roots
For twenty years, the world of Romulus had been his home and in those twenty years he knew only peace. Nestled near the northeastern borders of the Segmentum Ultima, his world was as far away from danger as one could get. If there was one place in this wretched galaxy that one could wish to live in, then it would be there on the frontier.
The Tau were but mere rumors. The local Orks were but a minor nuisance with barely an WAAAGH worth of note. The accursed Drukhari were nowhere to be found while their vexing cousins, the Aeldari, had made themselves scarce. Even Chaos was all but absent, limited to mere whispers amongst the nobility. He couldn't have asked for a better world to be reborn on.
Of course, there were some flaws; as no place was truly perfect. The Seven Stars of Italo, which Romulus called its home, had the Ghoul Stars just sitting beyond the sector's borders. Their looming presence proved to be a source of constant fear and apprehension. The fact that the Astronomicon's light was dim there in the periphery didn't help in that matter. But, compared to everywhere else, his world was a paradise.
With a pep in his step, he walked down the palace's hallowed halls. It was here in the upper hive, surrounded by wealth beyond measure, that he called his home. He had been blessed not just with another life, but a life of luxury and comfort. He was on top of the world, literally.
"Good evening my lord," Saluted the palace guards as he passed them by. Giving them a polite smile and a nod, they let him pass without so much a question. Being the son of the sector lord did have its perks.
He had all he could ever ask for in this new life. Wealth beyond imagining, influence, all that he could desire given to him on a silver platter. The best part was that he didn't need to lift a single finger. He could live his life the way he chose. Silently, he prayed to the God Emperor to thank him for his blessings.
He wasn't really sure if it was the big man on the throne that got him here, but it was either him or an unpleasant alternative. Smiling, he chose to ignore the possibility and replace it with Faith. He refused to entertain the idea that those space tumors could have a hand in his current life. His brief existential crisis, however, would be cut short as he bumped into a servant.
Catching the older woman before she fell, he quickly apologized, "Sorry about that." Quietly, he scolded himself as he helped the shell shocked woman back to her feet.
Gathering her wits, the portly woman gasped as a mortified expression grazed her face, "M-Master Octavian!" Bowing slowly before him, she apologized profusely, "My apologies, my lord. I didn't see you there! I swear-!"
Placing his hands on her shoulder, the woman tensed up. "Now, now Glynda, you know it was my fault," He replied as helped her stand up straight. "There's no need to apologize. After all, it would be amiss of me to punish someone who served my family faithfully, no?" He added as he gave her a soft smile.
Taking a deep breath, the woman let out a sigh as she nodded. Looking up at him with just a hint of apprehension, she replied, "You're too kind, my lord." It was hard work breaking their habits, but he was getting there.
As he pulled away, he asked, "How's your daughter doing in the Schola?" Perhaps a change of subject would calm her down.
Almost immediately, the woman brightened up as a great big smile stretched across her face. "They're doing well, my lord," She answered as she sighed fondly, clutching her hands close to her chest. "My little Angelica has just learned how to write her name!" She told him proudly.
"Oh?" He asked, surprised at the news. "Perhaps in a few more years, she'll be taken in by the local Ministorum. We're always in need of new clerks," He hinted to her as a warm feeling rose up to his chest. He was blessed, so why not share the blessing? Increasing the funding for public schooling wasn't too hard, considering it cost his family pennies on the dollar.
"I can only hope so, my lord," She replied, her voice filled with hope and joy. Looking back at him, she bowed once more. "Thank you for giving her this chance," She thanked him.
"It's nothing," He replied, "Everyone deserves a chance to better themselves." His actions wouldn't be enough to solve all the world's ailes, but it was a start. A little hope could go a long way. Looking back at the hall and noticing how sparkling clean it was, he told her, "Why don't you go take the night off?"
The place didn't really need that much cleaning given how powerful the filters were. There wasn't any need for her to work more when her time could be better used elsewhere. "I'm sure your children would love to have their mother come home early," He told her.
"I-I, Bless you, my lord," The woman thanked him. "May the Emperor's Light always shine upon you and your family," She whispered as she prayed to the God Emperor.
"And upon you as well," He replied before waving her goodbye. Humming happily, he walked away, satisfied. There was truly nothing better than seeing the hope in others.
Reaching the very top of the hive, he found himself staring at the door before him. It was not an ornate piece, nor was it some monolithic piece better fit for a titan than a man, but a simple oaken door. Feeling the ancient brass beneath his hands, he grabbed the knocker rapping it against the door. "Father?" He called, waiting patiently
"Come in!" A soft weak voice called out to him. Opening the door, he entered his fathers office and private study. The large room not only served as the heart of the Sector, where the patriarch made decisions for the masses, but a display of his family's wealth. Ten Thousand years was a lot of time to gather countless treasures.
From priceless artworks, to the richly decorated tapestries showing their families history from plying the void, and even an old husk of a set of Power Armor; a restored piece from the Angels of the Emperor themselves, his family had collected a lot over the generations. None were the crowning jewel of their collection. No, compared to it, they were but mere trinkets.
There, hanging just behind his fathers stooped and weathered form, was a copy of their family's greatest treasure; A Warrant of Trade. Taking up much of the wall's surface, the massive roll of vellum was a sight to behold. With the seal of the Sigillite himself pressed upon its surface, it wasn't just a writ that gave his ancestor the freedom to amass enough wealth to buy the sector, but a relic onto itself.
Perking up from his small table, his father greeted him, "Octavian, my son!" With an almost toothless smile on his face, he stood up, before doddering over. "Come, sit with me," His father said before coughs wracked his bent form.
Rushing to his fathers aid, he grabbed his flask before offering it to his father. With shaking hands, the man gulped the mix made for him by the medicae before letting out a sigh of relief. "Thank you my boy," Gazing up to him with faded, but sharp, eyes his father asked, "Now, what brings you to my study?"
"Maybe it's not the best time," He replied as he helped him back onto his throne. He had some plans, but those could wait, given the state of his father.
The man was ancient, his form so withered that it was a miracle that his body could hold itself together, but he was his father and he worried for his health. He was no longer the spry three hundred fifty year old he once was. One bad fall and there would be nothing he could do. Seeing the bottle of Cadian Amsec on his table, the man was simply too stubborn to believe himself no longer the young man he used to be.
"Nonsense," The man replied as a cheeky smile found itself on their lips, "I always have time for my children." For a man nearing his fourth century, he sometimes acted so childish.
"You should take care of yourself more, father," He softly admonished his old man. Even now, he could see him calculating just how much more they'd need for the next tithe. "It's not good for your health to keep on working when you feel sick. The rejuvenat treatments can only take your body so far," He reminded his father as he sat down opposite the man.
"Heavy is the crown my boy," The man fired back, grinning wryly as he returned back to his work. "We aren't just responsible for our own happiness, but those of our subjects, remember that," His father lectured him.
Octavian grinned as he fired back, "Some would say it's foolish." He knew well enough that was supposed to be how things are, but a little banter wouldn't hurt, especially when it was pointed criticisms to others.
"Bah," His father replied as he waved him off with a scowl. "Do they rule?" He asked, glaring at him, before he let out a laugh. "I don't think so," He added as Octavian nodded back, proud to have him as his father.
Gazing up from his work, his father asked, "Now, about your visit. What is it that you wish for?" Smiling in amusement, the man questioned him, "Another program for those in the lower levels? A maintenance project, perhaps? Or maybe you have another business proposal at hand?"
Trailing off, he gazed away as he added with a pained tone, "Just… not anything involving the Mechanicum." Looking him in they eyes, the man warned him, "You know how they get touchy when you try to meddle with their affairs"
Octavian chuckled nervously at the reminder. "Nothing of that sort, father. I've learned my lesson," He replied as a pained smile stretched across his lips. He shuddered at the memory of being on the receiving end of a reasonable Tech Priest. The sheer rage the red hooded priest of Mars could articulate monotonously was terrifying.
Shaking his head, he replied, "It's not about our realms future; it's something concerning my own." He paused, considering it, before pushing through. As much as he wished to stay there, he felt that his time there was drawing to a close. There were only so many things he could do there. Despite the dangers, the galaxy was just out there!
Looking into his eyes, his father asked in worry, "Is there something wrong?" Concern quickly gave way to rage as the man hissed out, "Has your brute of a brother been picking on you again?" Octavian flinched, hoping he hadn't pushed him too far.
"No, it's not that," He assured his father before grimacing. "Tiberius' far too busy with his parties these days anyways," He replied as a hint of distaste filled him. While his father was a beacon of honor and duty, the same could be said about the nobles beneath him. His brother, Tiberius, was the worst amongst them.
No, it wasn't just his own bias speaking. "The man's drinks more than a regiment and whores just as much," He muttered. While his father was good at administration, he was not the best father. He was married to the job, leaving them with their mothers. It was one of his fathers faults.
It was why Tiberius was that way. Still, how one man could indulge in so much pleasure and come off as fresh as a daisy worried him. There was decadence and then there was Tiberius. He had suspicions, but he didn't want to point fingers. The Inquisition could be quite trigger happy. He hated the man, but he didn't want that kind of heat on the family.
"It's a far better alternative," His father snorted. "At least he isn't causing trouble, unlike your other brother," He replied, making Octavian grimace more. "Would you believe Nero had another duel?" His father asked.
Holding back a groan, Octavian, "Of course he did." Another of the family's headaches and one more problem for him to deal with.
Letting out a heavy sigh, his father pressed his palm against his forehead. Looking lost, "Thankfully, it was with some no-name guardsman, but that boy has to get his rage under control!" His father complained.
Linking his hands together, Octavian hummed. Giving it some thought, he looked up to his father before suggesting, "Maybe you can send Livia to visit him?"
"Do you really wish to subject your brother to such terrors?" The man asked and Octavian nodded without a hint of hesitation. Smiling, his father replied, "She should put the fear of the god emperor on him." Gazing at a photo of their family, with Octavian on one side, and ever so silent Livia on the other, the man whispered, "If only your brothers were more like you and your sister," His father sighed.
Octavian hesitantly nodded. While it was an innocent enough sentiment, Octavian shuddered at the thought of another Livia. Those two boneheads were incompetent while Livia… Livia was something else. Staring into those blank eyes and hollow smile, Octavian felt a shiver of fear run up his spine.
Thankfully, she was as far away from them as possible. "How is my sister by the way?" He asked, wondering about his sister's health. "I hope her study in the Ecclesiarchy's monastery is going well?" He added. While he feared her, she was still family.
"She's doing well, great even," His father happily answered before coughing once more. The wet sound of phlegm made Octavian reach for his flask, but thankfully his father was quick to recover. "The Monastery Abbess has spoken nothing but praise for her devotion to the emperor. She has even floated the idea that she might one day become the next head abbess if she continues down this path," He told him, making Octvian pause.
"That was good, right?" He thought to himself. Had his sister changed for the better in the abbey? Dare he hoped, she'd actually turned a new leaf?
Perhaps he dreamed too much as his father added, "I am concerned however with her involvement with the Cult of the Star." Almost immediately, Octavian felt a heavy weight settle on his stomach while dread filled his veins. Despite how innocuous the cult sounded, there was something about it that made his mind scream.
"The Cult of the Star?" He asked as he frowned. "Have there been any investigations on this cult?" He questioned his father, feeling worry fill his veins. No, it couldn't be Tyranids right? He couldn't remember any Hive Fleet nearby.
"They're quire radical, but nothing of such sort is needed," His father waved off his concern as he cough again. Wheezing, the man reached beneath his desk and pulled out a bottle of water. Drinking greedily from the container, the man gasped before shaking his head.
"Livia has assured me that they're fine," He reassured him before he reached up his collar. and pulled out a pendant that had Octavian's very soul screaming in panic; The eight pointed star that spelled doom to all who saw it. "They even gave me a pendant," The man smiled and Octavian felt his mouth dry up.
His sister was corrupted. There was no doubt about it. What's worse was that she corrupted an Abbess as well. He was ready to face a rebellion, but not this. If his suspicions were right, his sister was long gone and was replaced by a monster. He… was in danger.
"She's a good girl. She would never lie," His father weakly replied as he yawned. Seeing the pendant, Octavian now noticed just how much paler his father was. It was already too late.
"I-I, Yes father." He nodded, feeling sorrow and dread fill his veins. Sorry about his father, and dread for what he needed to do. What could he do? He had neither Nero's talent in killing nor Tiberius' charms. He was an administrator! He couldn't fight worth a damn without allies!
There was also the question of how far the rot had spread. There hadn't been any widespread signs of destruction or riots so far, but that could easily change. There were far too many variables he needed to figure out. Could he even take this on? Is there anything he could do?
He could call upon the Inquisition, but that risked meeting the Inquisition. What would they do when they find out what he knows? Chaos was not a widespread knowledge, after all. The whole world could be destroyed on a whim if things were that bad.
"Now, what was it that you wanted again?" His father asked, breaking his train of thoughts. "I'm feeling awfully tired and perhaps it's best that I retire to my chambers for now," He whispered.
Swallowing thickly, Octavian considered his choice. He could take this on his own, hunker down and take out his siblings in intrigue while fighting off an active chaos incursion or he could run away. He had enough wealth to take on a pilgrimage to Terra or just go live his days in a pleasure world. He already had things planned for such a voyage!
It was the less suicidal of the option. He would live, escaping the chaos as it blew over, but could he live with himself knowing that he'd leave people he cared behind? Was he callous enough to just let them suffer while he lived his life out there?
The two options were something he couldn't take. There was, however, a third option, one he never knew he had to take. Taking a deep breath, he sighed as he gazed up at the Writ of Trade, before asking, "Father, I wish to take our forefathers' mantle as a Rogue Trader and explore the Stars."
His father froze, eyes wide as he stared back at him. Still, he had made his decision and he couldn't back out now. "I know that I've asked a lot from you father, but please grant me just this one last request," he begged his father as he bowed. "I wish to bring honor and glory to our family and I feel that I can achieve it by returning to our roots," he replied.
He was going to escape, but he was going to take good and loyal men and women, people who deserved a chance, as far away from the place as possible. It was still the coward's way out, but he didn't want to die. He knew himself well enough that he knew he couldn't win this. At least out there in the frontier, he would have time before an anonymous tip would go to the local Inquisitors table.
"Octavian, my son, you know I have given you all that you've asked for and all you could ever want," His fathers replied, voice trembling as he looked up at him with sadness in his eyes. "But this? Please my son, reconsider!" He shouted, strength returning to him as he stood up and slammed his hands on the table.
"It's dangerous out there!" He shouted as he gestured at the stars above. "There are Orks, Xenos, Mutants even. Away from home, I cannot protect you!" He trailed off as his strength left him and his age made itself known. Slowly sinking into his chair, the man told him, "There's a reason why our ancestors settled down on this world and called it our own."
Octavian nodded. Xenos and Mutants were the least of his problems as the forces of Chaos all too happily reminded him. "I know the risk, but I'm willing to face them," He replied. It was still better than facing them there, where there was no place he could run once things got bad. "It will not be easy and there will be hardships, but so is anything worth pursuing," he added.
"Even if I wanted to, there is a matter of who would take on the mantle of ruling this sector?" His father asked before he let out a long shuddering sigh. Looking like a mere shell of himself, he admitted, "Truth be told, your siblings are less than ideal."
"Individually," Octavian replied as he looked up at his father. As much as it pained him, he just couldn't stay there. "They would bring ruin, but together they can make wonders," He told him. Indeed they would, if they weren't corrupted.
Livia alone could bring them ruin whole, but perhaps the three would take each other out. "Tiberius had never been the best at martial matters, but that's where Nero could cover him. Nero might have difficulties with others, but Tiberius has that handled," He pointed out, before gazing at his sister's portrait. "Livia, meanwhile, serves as the glue holding our family together."
It was going to be a disaster in the making, but perhaps his two other siblings could actually kill Livia. Either way, Livia was going to be at the helm if he left, so best to throw some wrenches to mess with and, hopefully, slow her down.
"They can rule, just not without the others," He replied before lying to his father, "Besides father, you know that I never wanted to rule. It never really was my passion." It was why he came there in the first place. He wanted to go away, to explore the stars before settling down, it's just now that he had more reasons to stay away as far as possible from the stars he called his home.
"Even if you lose everything, or even suffer a fate worse than death?" His father asked, reminding him of what fate could await him out there. He had lived all his life in the lap of luxury and now he was going to dive head first into a profession which had ruined greater men and women than him.
"To be a Rogue Trader is to thread the line between life and death; of riches beyond measure and ruin," His father told him as his fathers eyes hardened. "You either succeed, or you die. Are you willing to take this risk knowing that there is a chance that you will never return?" He asked as Octavian gritted his teeth. What choice did he have?
"I am," He answered as he knelt before his father to hide his shaking legs. "Please father, I just want to make you proud," He told him, all but begging him for the Writ. It was his only hope.
"You have already done so and always have," His father replied with sorrow, twisting the knife of failure in Octavian's chest. "But if this is what you wish, then I won't stand against it," His father said before standing up.
Walking over, he laid his hands on his shoulder as he gave his blessing. "As the patriarch of the family, I hereby grant you our family's Warrant of Trade." Feeling the heavy weight in his stomach lighten, he gazed up, meeting his fathers gaze. "We not only give you our blessing, but the backing of the family of Julii. You are free to command what resources you need for your journey," He told him.
Octavian hid a sigh of relief at his fathers generosity. This would definitely make it easier for him as he didn't have to rely solely on his saved up allowance. Just as he was considering what he needed, it seemed his father was not done yet.
"And what kind of Rogue Trader would my son be without a ship?" His father asked before he told him, "I give unto you our family's ship."
Eyes wide, Octavian sputtered out, "But-!"
His father, however, would cut him off as he raised his hands. As he held his tongue, his father continued, "I will not suffer my youngest son having the indignity of having to captain a mere Destroyer." Smiling, he added, "I'm sure that that Enterprise will serve you well just as it did our ancestors before us."
The planet could use the defense, but he couldn't say no. "Thank you father," He bowed, thankful that he was not just invested the Writ, but also their family's Heirloom.
Reaching up to his collar, his father removed the pendant his sister gave him before slipping it around his neck. Octavian froze, but felt nothing from it. Still, he felt his heart beat faster inside his chest. "May the Emperor's light guide you," His father whispered before he retreated back to his throne. Waving him off, he commanded, "Now go before I change my mind, and I'm sorely tempted to do so."
Nodding stiffly, he stood up as he answered, "You won't regret this father." Hastily walking out to the door, he closed it behind him before. Almost immediately, he felt his legs give out under him, forcing him to grab to a nearby pillar for support.
Shakily reaching for his aquila without touching the pendant, he wrapped the holy symbol around his hands before tearing the pendant away. Now that it was off his neck, he could feel its malice as it smoked in his hands. His sister had tried to kill his father.
As he clenched his fist and the symbol sizzled in contact with the Aquila, he pulled his arms back before throwing it out the window. Watching it sail across the air, it fell down before disappearing in a flash as it hit the void shields.
Grimacing at the burns he now sported, he sighed in relief as the wound felt clean. Even in the farthest reaches of the Imperium, The Emperor Protects. Sinking down to his knees, he turned and rested his back against the walls. Looking up the crest of his house on the ceiling, he whispered out the only word that could describe his situation right then. "Fuck."
A/N:
Fuck indeed. MC grew a bit complacent, thinking he could coast along being a Highborn, but he forgot this is Warhammer. Things have a tendency to go FUBAR, than only question is when. Thankfully, our little hero here has a life line. Can he makes the most of this horrid situation, or will he die before he takes his very first step into fame and fortune? Stay tuned~
With that out of the way, I'd like to thank @vyor for fixing this chapter. One gone... a couple more from the pile to go ... sorry Vyor.
Now if you want to support me or want to read some fic chapters in advance, consider dropping by either Patreon or Ko-Fi. I couldn't have done this without the support.
For twenty years, the world of Romulus had been his home and in those twenty years he knew only peace. Nestled near the northeastern borders of the Segmentum Ultima, his world was as far away from danger as one could get. If there was one place in this wretched galaxy that one could wish to live in, then it would be there on the frontier.
The Tau were but mere rumors. The local Orks were but a minor nuisance with barely an WAAAGH worth of note. The accursed Drukhari were nowhere to be found while their vexing cousins, the Aeldari, had made themselves scarce. Even Chaos was all but absent, limited to mere whispers amongst the nobility. He couldn't have asked for a better world to be reborn on.
Of course, there were some flaws; as no place was truly perfect. The Seven Stars of Italo, which Romulus called its home, had the Ghoul Stars just sitting beyond the sector's borders. Their looming presence proved to be a source of constant fear and apprehension. The fact that the Astronomicon's light was dim there in the periphery didn't help in that matter. But, compared to everywhere else, his world was a paradise.
With a pep in his step, he walked down the palace's hallowed halls. It was here in the upper hive, surrounded by wealth beyond measure, that he called his home. He had been blessed not just with another life, but a life of luxury and comfort. He was on top of the world, literally.
"Good evening my lord," Saluted the palace guards as he passed them by. Giving them a polite smile and a nod, they let him pass without so much a question. Being the son of the sector lord did have its perks.
He had all he could ever ask for in this new life. Wealth beyond imagining, influence, all that he could desire given to him on a silver platter. The best part was that he didn't need to lift a single finger. He could live his life the way he chose. Silently, he prayed to the God Emperor to thank him for his blessings.
He wasn't really sure if it was the big man on the throne that got him here, but it was either him or an unpleasant alternative. Smiling, he chose to ignore the possibility and replace it with Faith. He refused to entertain the idea that those space tumors could have a hand in his current life. His brief existential crisis, however, would be cut short as he bumped into a servant.
Catching the older woman before she fell, he quickly apologized, "Sorry about that." Quietly, he scolded himself as he helped the shell shocked woman back to her feet.
Gathering her wits, the portly woman gasped as a mortified expression grazed her face, "M-Master Octavian!" Bowing slowly before him, she apologized profusely, "My apologies, my lord. I didn't see you there! I swear-!"
Placing his hands on her shoulder, the woman tensed up. "Now, now Glynda, you know it was my fault," He replied as helped her stand up straight. "There's no need to apologize. After all, it would be amiss of me to punish someone who served my family faithfully, no?" He added as he gave her a soft smile.
Taking a deep breath, the woman let out a sigh as she nodded. Looking up at him with just a hint of apprehension, she replied, "You're too kind, my lord." It was hard work breaking their habits, but he was getting there.
As he pulled away, he asked, "How's your daughter doing in the Schola?" Perhaps a change of subject would calm her down.
Almost immediately, the woman brightened up as a great big smile stretched across her face. "They're doing well, my lord," She answered as she sighed fondly, clutching her hands close to her chest. "My little Angelica has just learned how to write her name!" She told him proudly.
"Oh?" He asked, surprised at the news. "Perhaps in a few more years, she'll be taken in by the local Ministorum. We're always in need of new clerks," He hinted to her as a warm feeling rose up to his chest. He was blessed, so why not share the blessing? Increasing the funding for public schooling wasn't too hard, considering it cost his family pennies on the dollar.
"I can only hope so, my lord," She replied, her voice filled with hope and joy. Looking back at him, she bowed once more. "Thank you for giving her this chance," She thanked him.
"It's nothing," He replied, "Everyone deserves a chance to better themselves." His actions wouldn't be enough to solve all the world's ailes, but it was a start. A little hope could go a long way. Looking back at the hall and noticing how sparkling clean it was, he told her, "Why don't you go take the night off?"
The place didn't really need that much cleaning given how powerful the filters were. There wasn't any need for her to work more when her time could be better used elsewhere. "I'm sure your children would love to have their mother come home early," He told her.
"I-I, Bless you, my lord," The woman thanked him. "May the Emperor's Light always shine upon you and your family," She whispered as she prayed to the God Emperor.
"And upon you as well," He replied before waving her goodbye. Humming happily, he walked away, satisfied. There was truly nothing better than seeing the hope in others.
Reaching the very top of the hive, he found himself staring at the door before him. It was not an ornate piece, nor was it some monolithic piece better fit for a titan than a man, but a simple oaken door. Feeling the ancient brass beneath his hands, he grabbed the knocker rapping it against the door. "Father?" He called, waiting patiently
"Come in!" A soft weak voice called out to him. Opening the door, he entered his fathers office and private study. The large room not only served as the heart of the Sector, where the patriarch made decisions for the masses, but a display of his family's wealth. Ten Thousand years was a lot of time to gather countless treasures.
From priceless artworks, to the richly decorated tapestries showing their families history from plying the void, and even an old husk of a set of Power Armor; a restored piece from the Angels of the Emperor themselves, his family had collected a lot over the generations. None were the crowning jewel of their collection. No, compared to it, they were but mere trinkets.
There, hanging just behind his fathers stooped and weathered form, was a copy of their family's greatest treasure; A Warrant of Trade. Taking up much of the wall's surface, the massive roll of vellum was a sight to behold. With the seal of the Sigillite himself pressed upon its surface, it wasn't just a writ that gave his ancestor the freedom to amass enough wealth to buy the sector, but a relic onto itself.
Perking up from his small table, his father greeted him, "Octavian, my son!" With an almost toothless smile on his face, he stood up, before doddering over. "Come, sit with me," His father said before coughs wracked his bent form.
Rushing to his fathers aid, he grabbed his flask before offering it to his father. With shaking hands, the man gulped the mix made for him by the medicae before letting out a sigh of relief. "Thank you my boy," Gazing up to him with faded, but sharp, eyes his father asked, "Now, what brings you to my study?"
"Maybe it's not the best time," He replied as he helped him back onto his throne. He had some plans, but those could wait, given the state of his father.
The man was ancient, his form so withered that it was a miracle that his body could hold itself together, but he was his father and he worried for his health. He was no longer the spry three hundred fifty year old he once was. One bad fall and there would be nothing he could do. Seeing the bottle of Cadian Amsec on his table, the man was simply too stubborn to believe himself no longer the young man he used to be.
"Nonsense," The man replied as a cheeky smile found itself on their lips, "I always have time for my children." For a man nearing his fourth century, he sometimes acted so childish.
"You should take care of yourself more, father," He softly admonished his old man. Even now, he could see him calculating just how much more they'd need for the next tithe. "It's not good for your health to keep on working when you feel sick. The rejuvenat treatments can only take your body so far," He reminded his father as he sat down opposite the man.
"Heavy is the crown my boy," The man fired back, grinning wryly as he returned back to his work. "We aren't just responsible for our own happiness, but those of our subjects, remember that," His father lectured him.
Octavian grinned as he fired back, "Some would say it's foolish." He knew well enough that was supposed to be how things are, but a little banter wouldn't hurt, especially when it was pointed criticisms to others.
"Bah," His father replied as he waved him off with a scowl. "Do they rule?" He asked, glaring at him, before he let out a laugh. "I don't think so," He added as Octavian nodded back, proud to have him as his father.
Gazing up from his work, his father asked, "Now, about your visit. What is it that you wish for?" Smiling in amusement, the man questioned him, "Another program for those in the lower levels? A maintenance project, perhaps? Or maybe you have another business proposal at hand?"
Trailing off, he gazed away as he added with a pained tone, "Just… not anything involving the Mechanicum." Looking him in they eyes, the man warned him, "You know how they get touchy when you try to meddle with their affairs"
Octavian chuckled nervously at the reminder. "Nothing of that sort, father. I've learned my lesson," He replied as a pained smile stretched across his lips. He shuddered at the memory of being on the receiving end of a reasonable Tech Priest. The sheer rage the red hooded priest of Mars could articulate monotonously was terrifying.
Shaking his head, he replied, "It's not about our realms future; it's something concerning my own." He paused, considering it, before pushing through. As much as he wished to stay there, he felt that his time there was drawing to a close. There were only so many things he could do there. Despite the dangers, the galaxy was just out there!
Looking into his eyes, his father asked in worry, "Is there something wrong?" Concern quickly gave way to rage as the man hissed out, "Has your brute of a brother been picking on you again?" Octavian flinched, hoping he hadn't pushed him too far.
"No, it's not that," He assured his father before grimacing. "Tiberius' far too busy with his parties these days anyways," He replied as a hint of distaste filled him. While his father was a beacon of honor and duty, the same could be said about the nobles beneath him. His brother, Tiberius, was the worst amongst them.
No, it wasn't just his own bias speaking. "The man's drinks more than a regiment and whores just as much," He muttered. While his father was good at administration, he was not the best father. He was married to the job, leaving them with their mothers. It was one of his fathers faults.
It was why Tiberius was that way. Still, how one man could indulge in so much pleasure and come off as fresh as a daisy worried him. There was decadence and then there was Tiberius. He had suspicions, but he didn't want to point fingers. The Inquisition could be quite trigger happy. He hated the man, but he didn't want that kind of heat on the family.
"It's a far better alternative," His father snorted. "At least he isn't causing trouble, unlike your other brother," He replied, making Octavian grimace more. "Would you believe Nero had another duel?" His father asked.
Holding back a groan, Octavian, "Of course he did." Another of the family's headaches and one more problem for him to deal with.
Letting out a heavy sigh, his father pressed his palm against his forehead. Looking lost, "Thankfully, it was with some no-name guardsman, but that boy has to get his rage under control!" His father complained.
Linking his hands together, Octavian hummed. Giving it some thought, he looked up to his father before suggesting, "Maybe you can send Livia to visit him?"
"Do you really wish to subject your brother to such terrors?" The man asked and Octavian nodded without a hint of hesitation. Smiling, his father replied, "She should put the fear of the god emperor on him." Gazing at a photo of their family, with Octavian on one side, and ever so silent Livia on the other, the man whispered, "If only your brothers were more like you and your sister," His father sighed.
Octavian hesitantly nodded. While it was an innocent enough sentiment, Octavian shuddered at the thought of another Livia. Those two boneheads were incompetent while Livia… Livia was something else. Staring into those blank eyes and hollow smile, Octavian felt a shiver of fear run up his spine.
Thankfully, she was as far away from them as possible. "How is my sister by the way?" He asked, wondering about his sister's health. "I hope her study in the Ecclesiarchy's monastery is going well?" He added. While he feared her, she was still family.
"She's doing well, great even," His father happily answered before coughing once more. The wet sound of phlegm made Octavian reach for his flask, but thankfully his father was quick to recover. "The Monastery Abbess has spoken nothing but praise for her devotion to the emperor. She has even floated the idea that she might one day become the next head abbess if she continues down this path," He told him, making Octvian pause.
"That was good, right?" He thought to himself. Had his sister changed for the better in the abbey? Dare he hoped, she'd actually turned a new leaf?
Perhaps he dreamed too much as his father added, "I am concerned however with her involvement with the Cult of the Star." Almost immediately, Octavian felt a heavy weight settle on his stomach while dread filled his veins. Despite how innocuous the cult sounded, there was something about it that made his mind scream.
"The Cult of the Star?" He asked as he frowned. "Have there been any investigations on this cult?" He questioned his father, feeling worry fill his veins. No, it couldn't be Tyranids right? He couldn't remember any Hive Fleet nearby.
"They're quire radical, but nothing of such sort is needed," His father waved off his concern as he cough again. Wheezing, the man reached beneath his desk and pulled out a bottle of water. Drinking greedily from the container, the man gasped before shaking his head.
"Livia has assured me that they're fine," He reassured him before he reached up his collar. and pulled out a pendant that had Octavian's very soul screaming in panic; The eight pointed star that spelled doom to all who saw it. "They even gave me a pendant," The man smiled and Octavian felt his mouth dry up.
His sister was corrupted. There was no doubt about it. What's worse was that she corrupted an Abbess as well. He was ready to face a rebellion, but not this. If his suspicions were right, his sister was long gone and was replaced by a monster. He… was in danger.
"She's a good girl. She would never lie," His father weakly replied as he yawned. Seeing the pendant, Octavian now noticed just how much paler his father was. It was already too late.
"I-I, Yes father." He nodded, feeling sorrow and dread fill his veins. Sorry about his father, and dread for what he needed to do. What could he do? He had neither Nero's talent in killing nor Tiberius' charms. He was an administrator! He couldn't fight worth a damn without allies!
There was also the question of how far the rot had spread. There hadn't been any widespread signs of destruction or riots so far, but that could easily change. There were far too many variables he needed to figure out. Could he even take this on? Is there anything he could do?
He could call upon the Inquisition, but that risked meeting the Inquisition. What would they do when they find out what he knows? Chaos was not a widespread knowledge, after all. The whole world could be destroyed on a whim if things were that bad.
"Now, what was it that you wanted again?" His father asked, breaking his train of thoughts. "I'm feeling awfully tired and perhaps it's best that I retire to my chambers for now," He whispered.
Swallowing thickly, Octavian considered his choice. He could take this on his own, hunker down and take out his siblings in intrigue while fighting off an active chaos incursion or he could run away. He had enough wealth to take on a pilgrimage to Terra or just go live his days in a pleasure world. He already had things planned for such a voyage!
It was the less suicidal of the option. He would live, escaping the chaos as it blew over, but could he live with himself knowing that he'd leave people he cared behind? Was he callous enough to just let them suffer while he lived his life out there?
The two options were something he couldn't take. There was, however, a third option, one he never knew he had to take. Taking a deep breath, he sighed as he gazed up at the Writ of Trade, before asking, "Father, I wish to take our forefathers' mantle as a Rogue Trader and explore the Stars."
His father froze, eyes wide as he stared back at him. Still, he had made his decision and he couldn't back out now. "I know that I've asked a lot from you father, but please grant me just this one last request," he begged his father as he bowed. "I wish to bring honor and glory to our family and I feel that I can achieve it by returning to our roots," he replied.
He was going to escape, but he was going to take good and loyal men and women, people who deserved a chance, as far away from the place as possible. It was still the coward's way out, but he didn't want to die. He knew himself well enough that he knew he couldn't win this. At least out there in the frontier, he would have time before an anonymous tip would go to the local Inquisitors table.
"Octavian, my son, you know I have given you all that you've asked for and all you could ever want," His fathers replied, voice trembling as he looked up at him with sadness in his eyes. "But this? Please my son, reconsider!" He shouted, strength returning to him as he stood up and slammed his hands on the table.
"It's dangerous out there!" He shouted as he gestured at the stars above. "There are Orks, Xenos, Mutants even. Away from home, I cannot protect you!" He trailed off as his strength left him and his age made itself known. Slowly sinking into his chair, the man told him, "There's a reason why our ancestors settled down on this world and called it our own."
Octavian nodded. Xenos and Mutants were the least of his problems as the forces of Chaos all too happily reminded him. "I know the risk, but I'm willing to face them," He replied. It was still better than facing them there, where there was no place he could run once things got bad. "It will not be easy and there will be hardships, but so is anything worth pursuing," he added.
"Even if I wanted to, there is a matter of who would take on the mantle of ruling this sector?" His father asked before he let out a long shuddering sigh. Looking like a mere shell of himself, he admitted, "Truth be told, your siblings are less than ideal."
"Individually," Octavian replied as he looked up at his father. As much as it pained him, he just couldn't stay there. "They would bring ruin, but together they can make wonders," He told him. Indeed they would, if they weren't corrupted.
Livia alone could bring them ruin whole, but perhaps the three would take each other out. "Tiberius had never been the best at martial matters, but that's where Nero could cover him. Nero might have difficulties with others, but Tiberius has that handled," He pointed out, before gazing at his sister's portrait. "Livia, meanwhile, serves as the glue holding our family together."
It was going to be a disaster in the making, but perhaps his two other siblings could actually kill Livia. Either way, Livia was going to be at the helm if he left, so best to throw some wrenches to mess with and, hopefully, slow her down.
"They can rule, just not without the others," He replied before lying to his father, "Besides father, you know that I never wanted to rule. It never really was my passion." It was why he came there in the first place. He wanted to go away, to explore the stars before settling down, it's just now that he had more reasons to stay away as far as possible from the stars he called his home.
"Even if you lose everything, or even suffer a fate worse than death?" His father asked, reminding him of what fate could await him out there. He had lived all his life in the lap of luxury and now he was going to dive head first into a profession which had ruined greater men and women than him.
"To be a Rogue Trader is to thread the line between life and death; of riches beyond measure and ruin," His father told him as his fathers eyes hardened. "You either succeed, or you die. Are you willing to take this risk knowing that there is a chance that you will never return?" He asked as Octavian gritted his teeth. What choice did he have?
"I am," He answered as he knelt before his father to hide his shaking legs. "Please father, I just want to make you proud," He told him, all but begging him for the Writ. It was his only hope.
"You have already done so and always have," His father replied with sorrow, twisting the knife of failure in Octavian's chest. "But if this is what you wish, then I won't stand against it," His father said before standing up.
Walking over, he laid his hands on his shoulder as he gave his blessing. "As the patriarch of the family, I hereby grant you our family's Warrant of Trade." Feeling the heavy weight in his stomach lighten, he gazed up, meeting his fathers gaze. "We not only give you our blessing, but the backing of the family of Julii. You are free to command what resources you need for your journey," He told him.
Octavian hid a sigh of relief at his fathers generosity. This would definitely make it easier for him as he didn't have to rely solely on his saved up allowance. Just as he was considering what he needed, it seemed his father was not done yet.
"And what kind of Rogue Trader would my son be without a ship?" His father asked before he told him, "I give unto you our family's ship."
Eyes wide, Octavian sputtered out, "But-!"
His father, however, would cut him off as he raised his hands. As he held his tongue, his father continued, "I will not suffer my youngest son having the indignity of having to captain a mere Destroyer." Smiling, he added, "I'm sure that that Enterprise will serve you well just as it did our ancestors before us."
The planet could use the defense, but he couldn't say no. "Thank you father," He bowed, thankful that he was not just invested the Writ, but also their family's Heirloom.
Reaching up to his collar, his father removed the pendant his sister gave him before slipping it around his neck. Octavian froze, but felt nothing from it. Still, he felt his heart beat faster inside his chest. "May the Emperor's light guide you," His father whispered before he retreated back to his throne. Waving him off, he commanded, "Now go before I change my mind, and I'm sorely tempted to do so."
Nodding stiffly, he stood up as he answered, "You won't regret this father." Hastily walking out to the door, he closed it behind him before. Almost immediately, he felt his legs give out under him, forcing him to grab to a nearby pillar for support.
Shakily reaching for his aquila without touching the pendant, he wrapped the holy symbol around his hands before tearing the pendant away. Now that it was off his neck, he could feel its malice as it smoked in his hands. His sister had tried to kill his father.
As he clenched his fist and the symbol sizzled in contact with the Aquila, he pulled his arms back before throwing it out the window. Watching it sail across the air, it fell down before disappearing in a flash as it hit the void shields.
Grimacing at the burns he now sported, he sighed in relief as the wound felt clean. Even in the farthest reaches of the Imperium, The Emperor Protects. Sinking down to his knees, he turned and rested his back against the walls. Looking up the crest of his house on the ceiling, he whispered out the only word that could describe his situation right then. "Fuck."
A/N:
Fuck indeed. MC grew a bit complacent, thinking he could coast along being a Highborn, but he forgot this is Warhammer. Things have a tendency to go FUBAR, than only question is when. Thankfully, our little hero here has a life line. Can he makes the most of this horrid situation, or will he die before he takes his very first step into fame and fortune? Stay tuned~
With that out of the way, I'd like to thank @vyor for fixing this chapter. One gone... a couple more from the pile to go ... sorry Vyor.
Now if you want to support me or want to read some fic chapters in advance, consider dropping by either Patreon or Ko-Fi. I couldn't have done this without the support.
Chapter 1
New
- Location
- A Tropical Island in the Pacific
A Loyal Knight
The day after his meeting with his father was a hectic one. Between packing his belongings, making the necessary preparations for his future endeavors, and choosing the people he would bring along with him, there didn't seem to be any end to his worries. There were so many things he needed done; which was only made worse by the short notice.
What if he forgot something? What if he fucked up and put them all in danger? He just couldn't shake the worry off with people's lives on the line. As he attempted to jam his belongings inside his luggage, he paused and stared at the mess before him.
His room looked like a storm had passed through. He had spent much of the day preparing, but he was nowhere close to being ready to leave. Books lay strewn, clothes folded haphazardly, and all manners of nicknacks he had collected over the years lay scattered across the room. If anything, he'd made it harder for himself as he struggled to find what he needed
"Damn it, what the hell am I even doing?" He questioned himself as he gave up and plopped down on the bed, exhausted. Struggling to keep his eyes open, he turned his head and glanced at the things he had packed. He should've been gathering the essentials, things important for his future journey, not luxuries like the novels he had lovingly collected…, but could he really give those up?
Sitting up, he turned and looked around the room and everything within, he wondered if he had it in him to go through with his plans. "Am I really going to do this?" He asked himself as he jumped out of the bed and paced around, "I don't even know what to bring, much less who I'm going to bring!" Resting his head against the cool glass of the window overlooking the hive below, he muttered, "This is impossible…" He didn't know what to do.
"Well, If you are in need of a knight, then let I, Oriane Valerie of the House of Lancel, shall be your sword and shield!" A familiar voice called out, making him jump in surprise. Whirling around, he found himself face to face with none other than his childhood friend and self proclaimed Knight Errant, Oriene.
"God damn it Ori!" He hissed out as he clutched his chest, "How many times have I told you to knock before you come in?" Glaring at the unapologetically smug blonde tomboy, he added, "You of all people should know how much I hate it when people just barge in unannounced." Was it really too hard to knock? He really didn't want people seeing what he had written down.
Smiling back at him, the girl leaned close before bopping him lightly on the nose, "You say such, my Lord, but you leave your doors unlocked." Looking behind her, he found the open door where a familiar key was slotted in.
Giving her a flat look, he fired back, "I gave you a key." He was already starting to regret that as she was proving to be a nuisance. Pulling away and slipping past her, he walked over to the door and grabbed the offending key, before closing the door behind him.
"Then if you don't want me in, why give me a key to your innermost sanctum?" She questioned him as she popped up behind him, "Are you trying to hide something from me, my lord? Perhaps a secret lover?" Gasping, the girl clutched at her heart ever so dramatically as she asked, "Are you cheating on me?!" Taking a step back, she yelped as she tripped over one of his many luggage trunks.
Snorting, he walked over to the thoroughly embarrassed knight before offering her a hand. As she reached up and he pulled her up, he scolded her lightly, "Oh get your head out of the gutter, Ori. Your brothers would have my head if they found out." As silly of a girl she was, she was the only daughter of the only Imperial Knight House loyal to his house as well as his betrothed and future wife.
"So you don't deny such accusations!" The girl replied as a smirk stretched across her lips, "For shame, my lord! You could at least introduce her to me so I could personally vouch if she's worthy in bed-!" Delivering a precise chop to her head, he cut her off before she went into one of her tirades.
"Bad Ori, you go on the couch for a week," He scolded her as the girl held her head and pouted. Looking at the key in his hands, he briefly considered pocketing it, before he sighed as he gave it back, "You're lucky you're adorable." Depriving her of the key would only invite more headaches as she'd see it as a challenge. A determined Lancel was a dangerous opponent.
"I try, my lord," The girl replied as she slipped the key inside the jacket she wore on top of her skin tight jumpsuit. With how form fitting it was, it left little to the imagination as it hugged her lithe and athletic frame, a fact she was all too happy to flaunt as turned around.
As he turned away, she walked over to his desk before bending over. "So the rumors are true then," She whispered as he saw her grab the letter from his desk; the one that his father wrote designating him as the holder of the Trade of Writ, "The House of Julii will once more take to the stars and they have chosen you…"
Her jovial tone gave way to worry as she looked up to him. Unable to hold his gaze with those golden eyes, he answered, "I… yes, I am." For better or for worse, this was the path that he had chosen.
Walking over, she leaned in close before she wrapped her hands around her. As she laid her head against his chest, she asked, "Why?"
"I… honestly don't know," He answered, holding her tightly against his chest. Feeling her tiny form against his arms, he told her, "I've yet to fully pack, much less assemble my retinue, nor have I the slightest clue of what to do. Yet, if I don't do this…" He trailed off, pausing briefly as he considered things, before he continued, "Things could get bloody…"
"I understand my lord," His knight replied before she pulled away. He reached out, trying to pull her back, before he stopped himself as she knelt before him. "Sometimes, we have to make hard decisions for the good of all, but know this," She added as a smile stretched across her lips.
Grabbing hold of his hands, she made her vow once more, "Whatever path you'll take, whatever challenge you might face, and whatever hardship you might find, I'll be by your side, always." She squeezed his hands tightly and as he stared into that warm, adoring gaze of hers, he felt everything was right in the world.
Unable to hold himself, he smiled back before asking her, "Really Ori? You're still holding onto that vow?" It was a silly vow, but one he still remembered word per word. "You made it when we were, what? Four years old?" He asked, remembering the memory fondly.
"I made it when we first met on your third birthday, Otto, and I meant every word I said," She replied as she got back to her feet, "After all, what good would a Knight be without her word?"
Feeling the warmth rising to his cheeks, he sighed as he asked, "You're not going to stop until you join me in my quest, huh?" Was it because she was his loyal vassal, his betrothed, or perhaps it was because she truly loved him? Whatever the case was, all he wanted was her sweet yes.
Grinning, she answered, "Never ever." Pulling away, she started picking up his clothes and sorted through his belongings. "Even if you say no, I'll just ignore it and become a stowaway!" She declared, "It'll be hard, but it's a far better alternative than being abandoned by my lord."
"Ok, fine, you win," He replied as he joined her, his mind clearer with her encouraging words. Unpacking one of the bags and separating the relic that had somehow mixed up with his books, he asked, "And can you stop it with the talk about abandoning you? Did you really think I'll leave my right hard woman back home?"
Humming, she replied "Well, there was one time when we were being betrothed where you left for the lower hive and left me behind when you didn't come back," He paled as he remembered his first misadventure, "So naturally I searched for you, which ended in a multi day affair," She chuckled as she let out a fond smile. Shaking her head, she sassed back, "I'm sure you never left me behin-!"
Pinching her lips so he didn't have to relive such embarrassing memories, he let out a pained smile as he asked, "If I make you my knight officially then will you stop?"
"Mhmmm," His fiancee nodded, looking satisfied with the apparent victory.
Rolling his eyes, he pulled away before grabbing the nearest sword like object he could find; That of the arm of a local saint. "Kneel," He commanded and she got to her knees. Tapping her lightly on the shoulder with the relic's arm, he took her in as his first true follower, "By the powers granted by the Trade of Writ and with the God Emperor of Mankind as my witness, I, Octavius, first son of the House of Juli, Rogue Trader and loving fiance, hereby grant you the title of Knight to serve under the banner of the Enterprise. "
Beaming, his fiance bowed, "I, Oriane Valerie de la Lancel, renew my knightly vows and swear fealty with you once more, my Lord and Love." Standing up, she placed her hand over her chest as she added, "I hope to serve you as much as I serve the Emperor."
"I'm glad to have you on board, my knight in shining armor," He replied before his smile took on a more teasing note. "Well, Knight without her armour, but as if that'll ever stop you," he chuckled. She couldn't have all the fun here.
"I still have my Rocinante!" She fired back as her cheeks turned red. Crossing her arms, she huffed, "And it's not my fault that my mother keeps on having sons!" Sighing, she shook her head as she complained, "I really shouldn't have asked for a sister because now I'm stuck with twelve brothers!"
Snorting, I reached out and gave her a pat on the head for her troubles. "I swear I'll get you a Knight one day," He promised her, "But it's not like we'll be in need of such heavy firepower right now." An Imperial Knight wasn't just a mere mech, but a god of war, that could turn the tides of battle on their lonesome.
"We are just starting out and it'll be some time before I even think of getting near an active warzone," He quickly pointed out as he got back to sorting his things. As powerful as an Imperial Knight was, he wasn't comfortable having her in battle, at least not until he had proven himself to be capable enough to provide her with the adequate support needed for a Knight.
"Fret not, my lord," His loyal knight replied, taking the news well enough, "I shall make myself useful elsewhere! Like here, with your luggage!" Re-doubling her effort, she chipped away at the pile scattered about.
Watching her, he chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. Nothing could ever keep her down and that was one of the things he loved about her. As the last of his belongings were neatly tucked inside the last luggage, he found himself fully packed and ready to go.
"Now that that beast is finally conquered, we can finally move on to the next monster to slay!" She cheered before asking, "You are in need of a crew, yes?"
"Yes," He sighed as he crossed his arms, pursing his lips as he did a quick mental calculation of the people he'd need. "I won't just need serfs and sailors to man the ship, but also loyal soldiers and staff to keep things running as smoothly as possible," He told her.
A void faring ship wasn't just a simple vessel, but a floating city on its own rights, and a single point of rot could possibly bring it all crashing down. Feeling the healing burn marks on the palm of his hand, added, "And I'm not sure where to begin." Who could he trust? Who could he bring with him without over burdening his ship.
"Why not start hiring in the Palace?" His fiancee suggested, making him pause as he turned to her. "You have had a hand in picking the best and the best and the brightest after all, and I have a feeling that they would want to return the favor," She added with a smile. What did she mean by that, he thought before she opened the door once more.
There, outside, was a crowd that gathered before him. Men and women, serfs, servants and guards alike along with various clerks and ministers stood there, waiting. As his wide eyed gaze fell upon them, they all knelt. "My lord, we heard of the news and we wish to pledge our service," A deep powerful voice declared as a ripple of muttered agreements and pledges echoed out behind them.
"Lord Captain?" He replied, taken by surprise on who led the crowd. Looking behind him, he asked, "and are those the Guards and Servants of the Palace?" He could scarcely believe his eyes. Were they all here for him?
"Most of them my lord," The scarred man replied with a wry smile, "We already sought permission from your father and, now, all we seek is yours." These were all the loyal men and women that served his fathers court, those whose loyalty he knew was unquestioned.
"But why?" He asked before quickly he clarified, "Not that I don't want your service, I really do! But this is just a bit of a surprise." He knew that the good will he fostered would eventually be repaid, but not like this. He expected just a handful, not almost the entire staff!
"Do you really have to ask that, my Lord?" His betrothed chuckled, "They want you as their lord!" Grabbing hold of his hands, she added, "And nothing as simple as becoming a Rogue Trader would ever change that. In fact, I think it made things easier for them."
"Lady Oriane is right, my lord, and we wouldn't want anyone else," The Lord Captain reaffirmed his loyalty, "You have helped us even when you didn't need to. Now that you need help, it seems appropriate we answer the call and help you in kind." His words were followed by a ripple of agreement from the others.
Shifting nervously on his knees, the man asked, "And if you'll allow me to be frank with you, my lord?" As he gestured for him to continue, the Lord Commander answered, "I really don't want to serve under your brothers and sister." This time, the voice of the crowd was clearer. Bowing before him, the Lord Commander and the crowd pleaded, "So please, take us with you!"
He stood there in awe at the sight before him. Feeling all sorts of emotions well up inside his chest, he stood proudly as he smiled back. "Can I really say no to you all?" In his worry, he had almost forgotten the people closest to him, those willing to ride with him till the end.
Nodding, he asked, "If you're really set, I want you all to make a straight line." The crowd answered in unison as they formed an orderly line with Oriane at the head. Chuckling, he told them, "I want to get this done before the end of the day!"
As expected, it took most of the day, but by the end of it, he had quite the number of people. Of course, that'd depleted the servants in the palace, which meant more work, but he wouldn't have wanted it any other way. There was more mischief to be had now that the families of those who'd served his House faithfully were on board.
Sitting on the balcony as the sun started to set, he turned to the woman that made this all possible, "Hey, Flayne?"
"Hmm?" Turning to him, his fiance asked, "Is there something you need, my lord?" With the setting sun's rays shining on her golden hair, she looked absolutely radiant, like a saint straight from the tapestry adorning the house of worship. Truly, he was a lucky man to have her..
"Thank you for everything," He thanked her as he held her hands, "I couldn't have done this without you."
Smiling warmly, she asked, "Do you really have to thank me, my lord?" Squeezing his hands reassuringly, she turned back towards the red star as it slowly descended down below the horizon, "All I did was give my best friend a push since he was being silly, worrying about every little detail."
Pulling her hands away, she reached up and punched him playfully on the shoulders. "Come on Otto, just be yourself and we'll get through this!" She laughed as she looked back at him, "Trust me."
Losing himself in those eyes, he shook his head before he asked, "What would I do without you." Half the time, he felt lost, but with her, he felt his spirit calm. As they sat there, he made a promise to himself. He was going to make sure that smile of hers never faded.
"Probably in a ditch, my lord," Oriane answered and the two of them laughed together. Grinning, she raised her pinky up before as she asked,"Together Forever?"
Deciding to amuse her one last time, he reached up and hooked his pinkie with hers. "Together Forever," He answered before she leaned in and captured his lips. Closing his eyes, he leaned into it as they shared that most tender moment together as the glimmering crescent moon rose to the sky. That day and the next, they were together, and he hoped that never changed.
A/N:
Meet Oriane, the MC's most trusted friend, companion, his lancer as well as his Waifu all rolled into one! I originally intended for them to be friends early on, but the accidental chemistry between the resulted into a runaway reaction. I think I liked it better this way because I got to write them being adorkable with each other. Thoughts?
With that out of the way, I'd like to thank @vyor cause without him, the stupid ideas win
Now if you want to support me or want to read some fic chapters in advance, consider dropping by either Patreon or Ko-Fi. I couldn't have done this without the support.
The day after his meeting with his father was a hectic one. Between packing his belongings, making the necessary preparations for his future endeavors, and choosing the people he would bring along with him, there didn't seem to be any end to his worries. There were so many things he needed done; which was only made worse by the short notice.
What if he forgot something? What if he fucked up and put them all in danger? He just couldn't shake the worry off with people's lives on the line. As he attempted to jam his belongings inside his luggage, he paused and stared at the mess before him.
His room looked like a storm had passed through. He had spent much of the day preparing, but he was nowhere close to being ready to leave. Books lay strewn, clothes folded haphazardly, and all manners of nicknacks he had collected over the years lay scattered across the room. If anything, he'd made it harder for himself as he struggled to find what he needed
"Damn it, what the hell am I even doing?" He questioned himself as he gave up and plopped down on the bed, exhausted. Struggling to keep his eyes open, he turned his head and glanced at the things he had packed. He should've been gathering the essentials, things important for his future journey, not luxuries like the novels he had lovingly collected…, but could he really give those up?
Sitting up, he turned and looked around the room and everything within, he wondered if he had it in him to go through with his plans. "Am I really going to do this?" He asked himself as he jumped out of the bed and paced around, "I don't even know what to bring, much less who I'm going to bring!" Resting his head against the cool glass of the window overlooking the hive below, he muttered, "This is impossible…" He didn't know what to do.
"Well, If you are in need of a knight, then let I, Oriane Valerie of the House of Lancel, shall be your sword and shield!" A familiar voice called out, making him jump in surprise. Whirling around, he found himself face to face with none other than his childhood friend and self proclaimed Knight Errant, Oriene.
"God damn it Ori!" He hissed out as he clutched his chest, "How many times have I told you to knock before you come in?" Glaring at the unapologetically smug blonde tomboy, he added, "You of all people should know how much I hate it when people just barge in unannounced." Was it really too hard to knock? He really didn't want people seeing what he had written down.
Smiling back at him, the girl leaned close before bopping him lightly on the nose, "You say such, my Lord, but you leave your doors unlocked." Looking behind her, he found the open door where a familiar key was slotted in.
Giving her a flat look, he fired back, "I gave you a key." He was already starting to regret that as she was proving to be a nuisance. Pulling away and slipping past her, he walked over to the door and grabbed the offending key, before closing the door behind him.
"Then if you don't want me in, why give me a key to your innermost sanctum?" She questioned him as she popped up behind him, "Are you trying to hide something from me, my lord? Perhaps a secret lover?" Gasping, the girl clutched at her heart ever so dramatically as she asked, "Are you cheating on me?!" Taking a step back, she yelped as she tripped over one of his many luggage trunks.
Snorting, he walked over to the thoroughly embarrassed knight before offering her a hand. As she reached up and he pulled her up, he scolded her lightly, "Oh get your head out of the gutter, Ori. Your brothers would have my head if they found out." As silly of a girl she was, she was the only daughter of the only Imperial Knight House loyal to his house as well as his betrothed and future wife.
"So you don't deny such accusations!" The girl replied as a smirk stretched across her lips, "For shame, my lord! You could at least introduce her to me so I could personally vouch if she's worthy in bed-!" Delivering a precise chop to her head, he cut her off before she went into one of her tirades.
"Bad Ori, you go on the couch for a week," He scolded her as the girl held her head and pouted. Looking at the key in his hands, he briefly considered pocketing it, before he sighed as he gave it back, "You're lucky you're adorable." Depriving her of the key would only invite more headaches as she'd see it as a challenge. A determined Lancel was a dangerous opponent.
"I try, my lord," The girl replied as she slipped the key inside the jacket she wore on top of her skin tight jumpsuit. With how form fitting it was, it left little to the imagination as it hugged her lithe and athletic frame, a fact she was all too happy to flaunt as turned around.
As he turned away, she walked over to his desk before bending over. "So the rumors are true then," She whispered as he saw her grab the letter from his desk; the one that his father wrote designating him as the holder of the Trade of Writ, "The House of Julii will once more take to the stars and they have chosen you…"
Her jovial tone gave way to worry as she looked up to him. Unable to hold his gaze with those golden eyes, he answered, "I… yes, I am." For better or for worse, this was the path that he had chosen.
Walking over, she leaned in close before she wrapped her hands around her. As she laid her head against his chest, she asked, "Why?"
"I… honestly don't know," He answered, holding her tightly against his chest. Feeling her tiny form against his arms, he told her, "I've yet to fully pack, much less assemble my retinue, nor have I the slightest clue of what to do. Yet, if I don't do this…" He trailed off, pausing briefly as he considered things, before he continued, "Things could get bloody…"
"I understand my lord," His knight replied before she pulled away. He reached out, trying to pull her back, before he stopped himself as she knelt before him. "Sometimes, we have to make hard decisions for the good of all, but know this," She added as a smile stretched across her lips.
Grabbing hold of his hands, she made her vow once more, "Whatever path you'll take, whatever challenge you might face, and whatever hardship you might find, I'll be by your side, always." She squeezed his hands tightly and as he stared into that warm, adoring gaze of hers, he felt everything was right in the world.
Unable to hold himself, he smiled back before asking her, "Really Ori? You're still holding onto that vow?" It was a silly vow, but one he still remembered word per word. "You made it when we were, what? Four years old?" He asked, remembering the memory fondly.
"I made it when we first met on your third birthday, Otto, and I meant every word I said," She replied as she got back to her feet, "After all, what good would a Knight be without her word?"
Feeling the warmth rising to his cheeks, he sighed as he asked, "You're not going to stop until you join me in my quest, huh?" Was it because she was his loyal vassal, his betrothed, or perhaps it was because she truly loved him? Whatever the case was, all he wanted was her sweet yes.
Grinning, she answered, "Never ever." Pulling away, she started picking up his clothes and sorted through his belongings. "Even if you say no, I'll just ignore it and become a stowaway!" She declared, "It'll be hard, but it's a far better alternative than being abandoned by my lord."
"Ok, fine, you win," He replied as he joined her, his mind clearer with her encouraging words. Unpacking one of the bags and separating the relic that had somehow mixed up with his books, he asked, "And can you stop it with the talk about abandoning you? Did you really think I'll leave my right hard woman back home?"
Humming, she replied "Well, there was one time when we were being betrothed where you left for the lower hive and left me behind when you didn't come back," He paled as he remembered his first misadventure, "So naturally I searched for you, which ended in a multi day affair," She chuckled as she let out a fond smile. Shaking her head, she sassed back, "I'm sure you never left me behin-!"
Pinching her lips so he didn't have to relive such embarrassing memories, he let out a pained smile as he asked, "If I make you my knight officially then will you stop?"
"Mhmmm," His fiancee nodded, looking satisfied with the apparent victory.
Rolling his eyes, he pulled away before grabbing the nearest sword like object he could find; That of the arm of a local saint. "Kneel," He commanded and she got to her knees. Tapping her lightly on the shoulder with the relic's arm, he took her in as his first true follower, "By the powers granted by the Trade of Writ and with the God Emperor of Mankind as my witness, I, Octavius, first son of the House of Juli, Rogue Trader and loving fiance, hereby grant you the title of Knight to serve under the banner of the Enterprise. "
Beaming, his fiance bowed, "I, Oriane Valerie de la Lancel, renew my knightly vows and swear fealty with you once more, my Lord and Love." Standing up, she placed her hand over her chest as she added, "I hope to serve you as much as I serve the Emperor."
"I'm glad to have you on board, my knight in shining armor," He replied before his smile took on a more teasing note. "Well, Knight without her armour, but as if that'll ever stop you," he chuckled. She couldn't have all the fun here.
"I still have my Rocinante!" She fired back as her cheeks turned red. Crossing her arms, she huffed, "And it's not my fault that my mother keeps on having sons!" Sighing, she shook her head as she complained, "I really shouldn't have asked for a sister because now I'm stuck with twelve brothers!"
Snorting, I reached out and gave her a pat on the head for her troubles. "I swear I'll get you a Knight one day," He promised her, "But it's not like we'll be in need of such heavy firepower right now." An Imperial Knight wasn't just a mere mech, but a god of war, that could turn the tides of battle on their lonesome.
"We are just starting out and it'll be some time before I even think of getting near an active warzone," He quickly pointed out as he got back to sorting his things. As powerful as an Imperial Knight was, he wasn't comfortable having her in battle, at least not until he had proven himself to be capable enough to provide her with the adequate support needed for a Knight.
"Fret not, my lord," His loyal knight replied, taking the news well enough, "I shall make myself useful elsewhere! Like here, with your luggage!" Re-doubling her effort, she chipped away at the pile scattered about.
Watching her, he chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. Nothing could ever keep her down and that was one of the things he loved about her. As the last of his belongings were neatly tucked inside the last luggage, he found himself fully packed and ready to go.
"Now that that beast is finally conquered, we can finally move on to the next monster to slay!" She cheered before asking, "You are in need of a crew, yes?"
"Yes," He sighed as he crossed his arms, pursing his lips as he did a quick mental calculation of the people he'd need. "I won't just need serfs and sailors to man the ship, but also loyal soldiers and staff to keep things running as smoothly as possible," He told her.
A void faring ship wasn't just a simple vessel, but a floating city on its own rights, and a single point of rot could possibly bring it all crashing down. Feeling the healing burn marks on the palm of his hand, added, "And I'm not sure where to begin." Who could he trust? Who could he bring with him without over burdening his ship.
"Why not start hiring in the Palace?" His fiancee suggested, making him pause as he turned to her. "You have had a hand in picking the best and the best and the brightest after all, and I have a feeling that they would want to return the favor," She added with a smile. What did she mean by that, he thought before she opened the door once more.
There, outside, was a crowd that gathered before him. Men and women, serfs, servants and guards alike along with various clerks and ministers stood there, waiting. As his wide eyed gaze fell upon them, they all knelt. "My lord, we heard of the news and we wish to pledge our service," A deep powerful voice declared as a ripple of muttered agreements and pledges echoed out behind them.
"Lord Captain?" He replied, taken by surprise on who led the crowd. Looking behind him, he asked, "and are those the Guards and Servants of the Palace?" He could scarcely believe his eyes. Were they all here for him?
"Most of them my lord," The scarred man replied with a wry smile, "We already sought permission from your father and, now, all we seek is yours." These were all the loyal men and women that served his fathers court, those whose loyalty he knew was unquestioned.
"But why?" He asked before quickly he clarified, "Not that I don't want your service, I really do! But this is just a bit of a surprise." He knew that the good will he fostered would eventually be repaid, but not like this. He expected just a handful, not almost the entire staff!
"Do you really have to ask that, my Lord?" His betrothed chuckled, "They want you as their lord!" Grabbing hold of his hands, she added, "And nothing as simple as becoming a Rogue Trader would ever change that. In fact, I think it made things easier for them."
"Lady Oriane is right, my lord, and we wouldn't want anyone else," The Lord Captain reaffirmed his loyalty, "You have helped us even when you didn't need to. Now that you need help, it seems appropriate we answer the call and help you in kind." His words were followed by a ripple of agreement from the others.
Shifting nervously on his knees, the man asked, "And if you'll allow me to be frank with you, my lord?" As he gestured for him to continue, the Lord Commander answered, "I really don't want to serve under your brothers and sister." This time, the voice of the crowd was clearer. Bowing before him, the Lord Commander and the crowd pleaded, "So please, take us with you!"
He stood there in awe at the sight before him. Feeling all sorts of emotions well up inside his chest, he stood proudly as he smiled back. "Can I really say no to you all?" In his worry, he had almost forgotten the people closest to him, those willing to ride with him till the end.
Nodding, he asked, "If you're really set, I want you all to make a straight line." The crowd answered in unison as they formed an orderly line with Oriane at the head. Chuckling, he told them, "I want to get this done before the end of the day!"
As expected, it took most of the day, but by the end of it, he had quite the number of people. Of course, that'd depleted the servants in the palace, which meant more work, but he wouldn't have wanted it any other way. There was more mischief to be had now that the families of those who'd served his House faithfully were on board.
Sitting on the balcony as the sun started to set, he turned to the woman that made this all possible, "Hey, Flayne?"
"Hmm?" Turning to him, his fiance asked, "Is there something you need, my lord?" With the setting sun's rays shining on her golden hair, she looked absolutely radiant, like a saint straight from the tapestry adorning the house of worship. Truly, he was a lucky man to have her..
"Thank you for everything," He thanked her as he held her hands, "I couldn't have done this without you."
Smiling warmly, she asked, "Do you really have to thank me, my lord?" Squeezing his hands reassuringly, she turned back towards the red star as it slowly descended down below the horizon, "All I did was give my best friend a push since he was being silly, worrying about every little detail."
Pulling her hands away, she reached up and punched him playfully on the shoulders. "Come on Otto, just be yourself and we'll get through this!" She laughed as she looked back at him, "Trust me."
Losing himself in those eyes, he shook his head before he asked, "What would I do without you." Half the time, he felt lost, but with her, he felt his spirit calm. As they sat there, he made a promise to himself. He was going to make sure that smile of hers never faded.
"Probably in a ditch, my lord," Oriane answered and the two of them laughed together. Grinning, she raised her pinky up before as she asked,"Together Forever?"
Deciding to amuse her one last time, he reached up and hooked his pinkie with hers. "Together Forever," He answered before she leaned in and captured his lips. Closing his eyes, he leaned into it as they shared that most tender moment together as the glimmering crescent moon rose to the sky. That day and the next, they were together, and he hoped that never changed.
A/N:
Meet Oriane, the MC's most trusted friend, companion, his lancer as well as his Waifu all rolled into one! I originally intended for them to be friends early on, but the accidental chemistry between the resulted into a runaway reaction. I think I liked it better this way because I got to write them being adorkable with each other. Thoughts?
With that out of the way, I'd like to thank @vyor cause without him, the stupid ideas win
Now if you want to support me or want to read some fic chapters in advance, consider dropping by either Patreon or Ko-Fi. I couldn't have done this without the support.
i like this very much. love a good warhammer si. thanks!
i mean if your going by temprement of the family the MC is the jolly friendly one...
The green garbage bag generally finds little purchase among the nobility, what with all the death and disease and decay. He mostly targets lower-class desperates, who just want some way to escape the pain of their existence. And since it's established MC was doing his best to make lifes of his lower-class subjects as unshitty as possible, I think it's unlikely.
How the heck doesn't the MCs father know about chaos and something like the 8 pointed star, I know that the Imperium keeps that knowledge secrete from commoners to keep them from its influence, but how could a patriarch of a Nobel house be so naive about such threats against his house?
Said patriarch is almost 400, its understandable if his memory is going. My family's matriarch has lost most of her's after a mere 90 years.
Chapter 2
New
- Location
- A Tropical Island in the Pacific
The Good Captain
The day that Octavian finally left the world he'd called his home had finally come. Pressing his hands against the view port, he sighed longingly as the vast blue sky gave way to the darkness of space. Up there, he saw the planet's beauty in all its glory. With its golden plains and deep blue oceans, Romulus truly was a shining jewel amongst the stars.
As he reminisced about the memories he'd made down below, he felt his Knight call upon his attention. Squeezing her hands as she held him comfortingly, he turned and found Oriane looking at him with concern in her eyes. "My lord," She whispered, "Are you sure you didn't want to stay for the funeral?" Glancing towards the glittering spire of the central hive, she reminded him, "Even if you're not the next lord, the Palace is still your home."
He glanced away at the painful reminder. His father was dead, having been found laying in his bed, unmoving and with a smile on his face as he died peacefully in his sleep. While the medicae ruled it as a natural death, he knew better. Something foul was afoot, but he couldn't speak up, not yet.
Turning back to her, he replied, "It's alright, Oriane. I already said my final goodbyes." He kept his true thoughts behind the veil of a smile, refusing to worry her any further. "Besides, I'm sure he'd rather have it be a quick and merry affair than a morose funeral," He chuckled.
As painful as it was, he couldn't look back. The only path was forward. Looking ahead, towards the bright and glittering port floating in the void, he whispered, "He hated seeing his people cry." There, floating over the dark void, was the great harbor that connected the Seven Stars of Italo; The Port of Selene.
The continent-sized station hung over the planet, bathing it with the light bouncing of its golden spires as it orbited. She was a city unlike any other, a vast crescent station from the great age of technology, and the pride of the Italo system. It had served his family well. She was the center of commerce for Italo and the gateway to the greater galaxy.
From the tiny tug boats that served the gigantic freighters which carried goods from across the sector, to the proud warships that protected the system; Ships of all sizes could be seen from a distance, docking and making use of many of its refurbished facilities. Still, despite the vast number of void-faring vessels that called this their home port, none could quite compare to the queen of the harbor.
Amongst the various grand vessels was one that stood heads and shoulders above them. Sleek and fearsome with her fearsome lance, yet beautifully crafted with her gilded hull and elegant citadel, she was a ship unlike any other. "She's beautiful," Oriane whispered as they beheld the beauty of his family's ship, "I can see why your ancestor chose her over all the other ships, my lord."
"Indeed." His lover nodded in agreement as she joined him in his watch over the port, "And she's going to be our home in the future." The only thing worth more to a Rogue Trader than the Writ of Trade they possessed and the crew they had with them was the ship they owned. and what a fine ship she was.
"She looks big enough for our future harem," She noted, making him roll his eyes. Grinning, she placed her hands over her chest as she declared, "You need not worry, my love. I shall be a gracious wife and allow you to have all the concubines you wish!"
"Sometimes, I think it's you that wishes for a harem," He replied, making her sputter in denial. Sporting a pained look of his own, he asked, "Am I not good enough for you, my future lady wife? Are you so cruel as to leave me for another woman?"
Backed to a corner, she replied appeasingly, "N-now, now, my love. Have I not promised an eternity with you?" Leaning against him, she added, "It's just it would be cruel of me if I don't share my blessings with another woman or twelve."
He gave her a flat look before lightly smacking her on the head. "Bad Oriane," He scolded her as he nursed her head, "Back to your seat or I'll send you to the horny jail."
Pouting, the girl pulled away reluctantly. "Spoilsport," She mumbled as she sulked in her seat. Truly, he had the most troublesome of wives. He dreaded how bad it would be if he actually took on a second. He already had his hands full with one!
"Perhaps I'll find one that could satisfy us both," He offered, making her perk up. Still, despite the trouble she caused, she was easy to please. "For now, however, we have more pressing matters: Such as the crew and, more importantly, the Captain of my ship," He reminded her, changing the subject at hand.
While the servants of the castle had volunteered, they only covered the roles that supported the ship such as cleaning, cooking, and much of the clerical work. He still needed to find those that could handle the menial work involved in running the ship; such as serfs and experienced deck hands. Servitors could do much of the heavy lifting, but they were expensive compared to people.
Giving him an inquisitive look, his Knight asked, "Can you not captain the ship, my lord?" Pausing briefly as their shuttle shuddered and the pilot warned them of their approach, she continued, "It is your family's vessel after all."
He nodded, accepting the argument. As the ship came to a shuddering halt, he answered, "I could, but it would mean that I'd have to learn all the ropes." It was not that he was not up to the task, it's just that someone who was trained for the task would be better. "It'll be far easier to hire someone to deal with the headache of navigating the voids and making sure the running of the ship is maintained while I deal with the other matters, such as diplomacy and exploration," He pointed out.
She pursed her lips as she frowned. "While I see the logic, my lord, couldn't that lead to the crew's loyalty being divided?" She pointed out. Despite how far humanity had developed, the greatest fears of any leader still remained true to this day.
"It's certainly a possibility," He agreed, never discounting the risk, "So we'll have to be careful in choosing." It could make or break his journey. "We'll need someone of good character and unwavering loyalty to avoid a possible mutiny," He mused as he got up. If he were to fail in finding someone he could trust, he might as well abandon the path, as he would be making many such decisions in the future.
With his knight in tow, they disembarked from the shuttle and set foot upon the port. Now that they were on its surface, they could see its many wonders and flaws. While much of the original structure was left intact, there were clear separations between the old and new. Clean golden spires and monolithic buildings clashed with sharp gothic arches of the marbled buildings lining the vast corridors.
Nevertheless, it was a wonderful sight; one made more mesmerizing with the sea of people that called it their home. It was amongst this controlled chaos that they found the head of port authority scolding some servants. That was, until he noticed his group. Shooing the servants away, he greeted him, "Welcome, welcome, my Lord!" They groveled before him, bowing their great bulk before him as a wide smile stretched across their lips, "I hope your travel was quite pleasant. Such journey's can be quite harsh, as I find them myself!"
Grimacing as he blocked their way, Octavian replied, "It was pleasant enough, Governor." Skirting past him with his knight rounding the other way, he excused himself, "You seem to be quite busy, so I'll get out of your hair." Without missing a bit, he headed straight for the transport waiting for them; A carriage pulled by a mechanical horse.
Struggling to turn around, they shouted, "W-wait, my lord! Can I offer you some wine? Perhaps some Amsec!" Wiping the sweat off their forehead, he added, "We just had some imports from Cadia itself!" It was a tempting offer, but he'd rather not.
"Maybe later," He replied as boarded the carriage with his Knight. Glancing at the driver, he gestured at them to get things moving. "Kinda busy, but save a bottle for my siblings," He instructured with a strained smile, "I'm sure they'll appreciate it!" Before the man could reply, their carriage lurched, shooting forward as the driver left them behind. It was only after their bulk was lost in the crowd that he'd let out a sigh of relief. Finally, some peace and quiet.
"He tries way too hard, my lord," Oriane commented as she shook her head, "But returning to the topic at hand, where can we find such mariners, my lord?" Grimacing as she looked back towards where they came from, "While the Merchants of Selene are certainly capable, I do not trust them."
"Nor do I," He admitted. It was something he had to learn at the top. The further up one was on the ladder, the less likely it was that they'd find good and honest people. There were exceptions to that rule, however. "Lucky for us, there is an ancient and storied institution where we can find our captain and my family just so happens to be one of their patrons," He told her with a playful tone to his voice.
As she raised a brow and gave him a questioning look, he grinned back and asked, "How do you feel about poaching promising officers from the Imperial Navy, Oriane?"
The Admiralty, the local headquarters of the Navis Imperialis. Choosing to build their own site, the local garrison looked more like a tavern with its timber construction, but perhaps it was them harkening to their more water borne origin. Either that, or they loved to drink as he found the large mess hall past the entrance filled with men and women as they made merry and drank heartily.
He snorted, watching them drink like there was no tomorrow. It was probably a good idea that he had Oriane meet up with the former Lord Commander, and now his Guard Commander, so that they could recruit the men. "She'd love it here," He chuckled, shaking his head. The girl did like to party.
His musings were cut short as a stern feminine voice cut through the din, "So, you're the Rogue Trader that they keep talking about." Turning, he found the mischievous smile on the lips of a Felinid officer as she leaned a nearby post. Giving him a once over, she commented, "I expected someone a bit… taller?"
He smiled back easily as he replied, "And I expected a captain that wasn't so distracting." While he wasn't unfamiliar with the abhumans, it wasn't everyday he saw one, much less one in uniform; especially for quite the elitist Imperial Navy. Seeing the epaulette on her shoulder, she was not messing around.
Grinning, she teased back, "Maybe over a bottle of wine, I'll think about it." Batting her eyes at him, she sauntered over before extending a hand in greeting, "Lord-Lieutenant Amelia Smollet at your service." Standing proudly, she carried herself with poise and confidence, one that he found charming.
"Gaius Octavius of House Julli," He answered as he took her hand before planting a kiss on the back, "A pleasure." She was certainly a pleasant and welcomed surprise, one he found himself getting quite intrigued by. It certainly helped that she was easy on the eyes, despite her more feral feline features. With carefully tamed short hair, soft cream colored fur, and striking green eyes, she drew his eyes and she knew it.
Pulling away, he excused himself, "Now while I would love to chat, I still have some business to attend to with Captain Scipio." Business did come before pleasure, and he could always talk to her another time. Glancing around, he asked, "Do you know where he is, perchance?"
"That's Lord Captain, sir," The woman replied with a hint of pride before her smile fell. "Unfortunately, he's quite busy discussing some sensitive matters with the Ecclesiarchy," she sighed and he winced in sympathy for the poor man. Those of the robe can be quite uncompromising and unreasonable at times.
Smiling once more, she told him, "In his steed, he sent me ahead to make sure you didn't get into trouble for sneaking inside the Admiralty." Tutting, she asked, "Do you know just how much trouble you could have gotten yourself, young man?"
"In my defence, the door was wide open," He chuckled as he glanced towards the door. There were no guards, nor arbites, manning the post; Just a door that was open for anyone to enter.
"I can see why now the Lord Captain sees it fit to have me watch over you," She sighed with a rueful smile. Shaking her head, she asked, "Now, I assume you wish to find yourself a captain for your ship, yes?"
He nodded back, glancing out of the window and up the curving horizon. Even from there, he could see her moored in her berth, just waiting for him. "She's a fine ship and I'd rather have someone who knows their way around her to pilot her," He answered before glancing back at her, "Are you perhaps interested in shifting careers? Any officer that the Lord Captain trusts is well worth their salt."
"You certainly have a future as a Rogue Trader if you're this much of a charmer," She chuckled as she covered her lip. Her mirth, however, would give way to a melancholic smile as she shook her head, "But alas, no. While I'm his second in command, I'm not qualified to handle a ship, much less a cruiser."
Glancing at her marking, he saw that she was a Flag Lieutenant. It was quite the rank, just a step away from leading her own ship, but it was probably unlikely on her current track. Ships were often reserved for those of noble birth; which precluded most of the Imperium alongside her.
''Speaking of a captain, that brings me to why I'm here," She spoke up, changing the topic, "With the Captain being quite busy at the moment, I shall be the one that will help you assess and decide upon the various candidates he has prepared for you." Tilting her head at him, she asked, "I hope that wouldn't be a problem?"
"Oh certainly not," He replied, before gesturing at the mess hall, "Now, shall we?"
"Of course," She smiled, giving him an appraising look before she sauntered ahead. "If you'll follow me," She called out and he trailed behind her, doing his best to avoid the way her tail swayed with her hips. She was rather… distracting.
"If it's a good mariner that you wish to find, you've come to the right place," She shouted through the cheers as they passed through the rowdy crowd and towards the back rooms. Walking up the stairs and toward the main office, she commented, "The Navis Imperialis has the best officers that the galaxy has to offer, and the Lord Captain spared no expenses in making sure you can pick the best."
Slipping in one of the offices, he soon found himself in a room filled with star charts and various documents. With the large, finely carved desk, and the way it overlooked the mess hall, he had an inkling on who owned this office.
Walking over to the table, she grabbed a binder before tossing it over. As he caught it, she gestured for him over as she walked to the window. Joining her, he skimmed through the file as she introduced him to the men and women the Lord Captain deemed fit. Pointing at a giant of a man, she started "First amongst his choices is Commander Marius. Brave, Ruthless and Daring, he is a man of action."
"He looks certainly capable enough," He noted, seeing how the junior officers gravitated towards him. With his cheerful grin, he laughed and drank with his men. He could use a man like him.
"He is a veteran of quite a number of pirate hunts, having spearheaded a fair share of them in fact," She noted before she frowned, "However, I do find him to be far more reckless than is needed."
Raising a brow at her, he commented, "Some would say that is a virtue." In a galaxy where valor and bravery was glorified, it was almost strange hearing such disappointment in their words.
"Not when he endangers the lives of men and women needlessly," She fired back, "While a good ship can be repaired and salvaged, good men and women can't."
Taken aback momentarily, he soon smiled as he nodded approvingly. "Wise words," He replied appraisingly, "I can see why the Lord Commander has placed his trust in you." While he could use brave men, it was not what he needed right now. Perhaps it was someone who truly cared for those under them that he needed now.
"I try my lord," She replied as she smiled back. Turning back, she continued, "Now let's move on to the next Candidate…" With her colorful and informative commentary on her fellow officers, the rest of the afternoon would fly by.
A/N:
The plot thickens. His father is dead and now he's on the clock to see if he could get ready before shits goes down. I assure you, he has plans, but he's prioritizing those closest to him first. Also, yes, I took Captain Amelia from Treasure Planet and made an expy of her in here... though as an officer under a human Lord Captain and yes, she is an Abhuman.
With that out of the way, I'd like to thank @vyor. For chapters to chapters to be complete, the fabled vyor is needed. The vyor must flow!
Now if you want to support me or want to read some fic chapters in advance, consider dropping by either Patreon or Ko-Fi. I couldn't have done this without the support.
The day that Octavian finally left the world he'd called his home had finally come. Pressing his hands against the view port, he sighed longingly as the vast blue sky gave way to the darkness of space. Up there, he saw the planet's beauty in all its glory. With its golden plains and deep blue oceans, Romulus truly was a shining jewel amongst the stars.
As he reminisced about the memories he'd made down below, he felt his Knight call upon his attention. Squeezing her hands as she held him comfortingly, he turned and found Oriane looking at him with concern in her eyes. "My lord," She whispered, "Are you sure you didn't want to stay for the funeral?" Glancing towards the glittering spire of the central hive, she reminded him, "Even if you're not the next lord, the Palace is still your home."
He glanced away at the painful reminder. His father was dead, having been found laying in his bed, unmoving and with a smile on his face as he died peacefully in his sleep. While the medicae ruled it as a natural death, he knew better. Something foul was afoot, but he couldn't speak up, not yet.
Turning back to her, he replied, "It's alright, Oriane. I already said my final goodbyes." He kept his true thoughts behind the veil of a smile, refusing to worry her any further. "Besides, I'm sure he'd rather have it be a quick and merry affair than a morose funeral," He chuckled.
As painful as it was, he couldn't look back. The only path was forward. Looking ahead, towards the bright and glittering port floating in the void, he whispered, "He hated seeing his people cry." There, floating over the dark void, was the great harbor that connected the Seven Stars of Italo; The Port of Selene.
The continent-sized station hung over the planet, bathing it with the light bouncing of its golden spires as it orbited. She was a city unlike any other, a vast crescent station from the great age of technology, and the pride of the Italo system. It had served his family well. She was the center of commerce for Italo and the gateway to the greater galaxy.
From the tiny tug boats that served the gigantic freighters which carried goods from across the sector, to the proud warships that protected the system; Ships of all sizes could be seen from a distance, docking and making use of many of its refurbished facilities. Still, despite the vast number of void-faring vessels that called this their home port, none could quite compare to the queen of the harbor.
Amongst the various grand vessels was one that stood heads and shoulders above them. Sleek and fearsome with her fearsome lance, yet beautifully crafted with her gilded hull and elegant citadel, she was a ship unlike any other. "She's beautiful," Oriane whispered as they beheld the beauty of his family's ship, "I can see why your ancestor chose her over all the other ships, my lord."
"Indeed." His lover nodded in agreement as she joined him in his watch over the port, "And she's going to be our home in the future." The only thing worth more to a Rogue Trader than the Writ of Trade they possessed and the crew they had with them was the ship they owned. and what a fine ship she was.
"She looks big enough for our future harem," She noted, making him roll his eyes. Grinning, she placed her hands over her chest as she declared, "You need not worry, my love. I shall be a gracious wife and allow you to have all the concubines you wish!"
"Sometimes, I think it's you that wishes for a harem," He replied, making her sputter in denial. Sporting a pained look of his own, he asked, "Am I not good enough for you, my future lady wife? Are you so cruel as to leave me for another woman?"
Backed to a corner, she replied appeasingly, "N-now, now, my love. Have I not promised an eternity with you?" Leaning against him, she added, "It's just it would be cruel of me if I don't share my blessings with another woman or twelve."
He gave her a flat look before lightly smacking her on the head. "Bad Oriane," He scolded her as he nursed her head, "Back to your seat or I'll send you to the horny jail."
Pouting, the girl pulled away reluctantly. "Spoilsport," She mumbled as she sulked in her seat. Truly, he had the most troublesome of wives. He dreaded how bad it would be if he actually took on a second. He already had his hands full with one!
"Perhaps I'll find one that could satisfy us both," He offered, making her perk up. Still, despite the trouble she caused, she was easy to please. "For now, however, we have more pressing matters: Such as the crew and, more importantly, the Captain of my ship," He reminded her, changing the subject at hand.
While the servants of the castle had volunteered, they only covered the roles that supported the ship such as cleaning, cooking, and much of the clerical work. He still needed to find those that could handle the menial work involved in running the ship; such as serfs and experienced deck hands. Servitors could do much of the heavy lifting, but they were expensive compared to people.
Giving him an inquisitive look, his Knight asked, "Can you not captain the ship, my lord?" Pausing briefly as their shuttle shuddered and the pilot warned them of their approach, she continued, "It is your family's vessel after all."
He nodded, accepting the argument. As the ship came to a shuddering halt, he answered, "I could, but it would mean that I'd have to learn all the ropes." It was not that he was not up to the task, it's just that someone who was trained for the task would be better. "It'll be far easier to hire someone to deal with the headache of navigating the voids and making sure the running of the ship is maintained while I deal with the other matters, such as diplomacy and exploration," He pointed out.
She pursed her lips as she frowned. "While I see the logic, my lord, couldn't that lead to the crew's loyalty being divided?" She pointed out. Despite how far humanity had developed, the greatest fears of any leader still remained true to this day.
"It's certainly a possibility," He agreed, never discounting the risk, "So we'll have to be careful in choosing." It could make or break his journey. "We'll need someone of good character and unwavering loyalty to avoid a possible mutiny," He mused as he got up. If he were to fail in finding someone he could trust, he might as well abandon the path, as he would be making many such decisions in the future.
With his knight in tow, they disembarked from the shuttle and set foot upon the port. Now that they were on its surface, they could see its many wonders and flaws. While much of the original structure was left intact, there were clear separations between the old and new. Clean golden spires and monolithic buildings clashed with sharp gothic arches of the marbled buildings lining the vast corridors.
Nevertheless, it was a wonderful sight; one made more mesmerizing with the sea of people that called it their home. It was amongst this controlled chaos that they found the head of port authority scolding some servants. That was, until he noticed his group. Shooing the servants away, he greeted him, "Welcome, welcome, my Lord!" They groveled before him, bowing their great bulk before him as a wide smile stretched across their lips, "I hope your travel was quite pleasant. Such journey's can be quite harsh, as I find them myself!"
Grimacing as he blocked their way, Octavian replied, "It was pleasant enough, Governor." Skirting past him with his knight rounding the other way, he excused himself, "You seem to be quite busy, so I'll get out of your hair." Without missing a bit, he headed straight for the transport waiting for them; A carriage pulled by a mechanical horse.
Struggling to turn around, they shouted, "W-wait, my lord! Can I offer you some wine? Perhaps some Amsec!" Wiping the sweat off their forehead, he added, "We just had some imports from Cadia itself!" It was a tempting offer, but he'd rather not.
"Maybe later," He replied as boarded the carriage with his Knight. Glancing at the driver, he gestured at them to get things moving. "Kinda busy, but save a bottle for my siblings," He instructured with a strained smile, "I'm sure they'll appreciate it!" Before the man could reply, their carriage lurched, shooting forward as the driver left them behind. It was only after their bulk was lost in the crowd that he'd let out a sigh of relief. Finally, some peace and quiet.
"He tries way too hard, my lord," Oriane commented as she shook her head, "But returning to the topic at hand, where can we find such mariners, my lord?" Grimacing as she looked back towards where they came from, "While the Merchants of Selene are certainly capable, I do not trust them."
"Nor do I," He admitted. It was something he had to learn at the top. The further up one was on the ladder, the less likely it was that they'd find good and honest people. There were exceptions to that rule, however. "Lucky for us, there is an ancient and storied institution where we can find our captain and my family just so happens to be one of their patrons," He told her with a playful tone to his voice.
As she raised a brow and gave him a questioning look, he grinned back and asked, "How do you feel about poaching promising officers from the Imperial Navy, Oriane?"
The Admiralty, the local headquarters of the Navis Imperialis. Choosing to build their own site, the local garrison looked more like a tavern with its timber construction, but perhaps it was them harkening to their more water borne origin. Either that, or they loved to drink as he found the large mess hall past the entrance filled with men and women as they made merry and drank heartily.
He snorted, watching them drink like there was no tomorrow. It was probably a good idea that he had Oriane meet up with the former Lord Commander, and now his Guard Commander, so that they could recruit the men. "She'd love it here," He chuckled, shaking his head. The girl did like to party.
His musings were cut short as a stern feminine voice cut through the din, "So, you're the Rogue Trader that they keep talking about." Turning, he found the mischievous smile on the lips of a Felinid officer as she leaned a nearby post. Giving him a once over, she commented, "I expected someone a bit… taller?"
He smiled back easily as he replied, "And I expected a captain that wasn't so distracting." While he wasn't unfamiliar with the abhumans, it wasn't everyday he saw one, much less one in uniform; especially for quite the elitist Imperial Navy. Seeing the epaulette on her shoulder, she was not messing around.
Grinning, she teased back, "Maybe over a bottle of wine, I'll think about it." Batting her eyes at him, she sauntered over before extending a hand in greeting, "Lord-Lieutenant Amelia Smollet at your service." Standing proudly, she carried herself with poise and confidence, one that he found charming.
"Gaius Octavius of House Julli," He answered as he took her hand before planting a kiss on the back, "A pleasure." She was certainly a pleasant and welcomed surprise, one he found himself getting quite intrigued by. It certainly helped that she was easy on the eyes, despite her more feral feline features. With carefully tamed short hair, soft cream colored fur, and striking green eyes, she drew his eyes and she knew it.
Pulling away, he excused himself, "Now while I would love to chat, I still have some business to attend to with Captain Scipio." Business did come before pleasure, and he could always talk to her another time. Glancing around, he asked, "Do you know where he is, perchance?"
"That's Lord Captain, sir," The woman replied with a hint of pride before her smile fell. "Unfortunately, he's quite busy discussing some sensitive matters with the Ecclesiarchy," she sighed and he winced in sympathy for the poor man. Those of the robe can be quite uncompromising and unreasonable at times.
Smiling once more, she told him, "In his steed, he sent me ahead to make sure you didn't get into trouble for sneaking inside the Admiralty." Tutting, she asked, "Do you know just how much trouble you could have gotten yourself, young man?"
"In my defence, the door was wide open," He chuckled as he glanced towards the door. There were no guards, nor arbites, manning the post; Just a door that was open for anyone to enter.
"I can see why now the Lord Captain sees it fit to have me watch over you," She sighed with a rueful smile. Shaking her head, she asked, "Now, I assume you wish to find yourself a captain for your ship, yes?"
He nodded back, glancing out of the window and up the curving horizon. Even from there, he could see her moored in her berth, just waiting for him. "She's a fine ship and I'd rather have someone who knows their way around her to pilot her," He answered before glancing back at her, "Are you perhaps interested in shifting careers? Any officer that the Lord Captain trusts is well worth their salt."
"You certainly have a future as a Rogue Trader if you're this much of a charmer," She chuckled as she covered her lip. Her mirth, however, would give way to a melancholic smile as she shook her head, "But alas, no. While I'm his second in command, I'm not qualified to handle a ship, much less a cruiser."
Glancing at her marking, he saw that she was a Flag Lieutenant. It was quite the rank, just a step away from leading her own ship, but it was probably unlikely on her current track. Ships were often reserved for those of noble birth; which precluded most of the Imperium alongside her.
''Speaking of a captain, that brings me to why I'm here," She spoke up, changing the topic, "With the Captain being quite busy at the moment, I shall be the one that will help you assess and decide upon the various candidates he has prepared for you." Tilting her head at him, she asked, "I hope that wouldn't be a problem?"
"Oh certainly not," He replied, before gesturing at the mess hall, "Now, shall we?"
"Of course," She smiled, giving him an appraising look before she sauntered ahead. "If you'll follow me," She called out and he trailed behind her, doing his best to avoid the way her tail swayed with her hips. She was rather… distracting.
"If it's a good mariner that you wish to find, you've come to the right place," She shouted through the cheers as they passed through the rowdy crowd and towards the back rooms. Walking up the stairs and toward the main office, she commented, "The Navis Imperialis has the best officers that the galaxy has to offer, and the Lord Captain spared no expenses in making sure you can pick the best."
Slipping in one of the offices, he soon found himself in a room filled with star charts and various documents. With the large, finely carved desk, and the way it overlooked the mess hall, he had an inkling on who owned this office.
Walking over to the table, she grabbed a binder before tossing it over. As he caught it, she gestured for him over as she walked to the window. Joining her, he skimmed through the file as she introduced him to the men and women the Lord Captain deemed fit. Pointing at a giant of a man, she started "First amongst his choices is Commander Marius. Brave, Ruthless and Daring, he is a man of action."
"He looks certainly capable enough," He noted, seeing how the junior officers gravitated towards him. With his cheerful grin, he laughed and drank with his men. He could use a man like him.
"He is a veteran of quite a number of pirate hunts, having spearheaded a fair share of them in fact," She noted before she frowned, "However, I do find him to be far more reckless than is needed."
Raising a brow at her, he commented, "Some would say that is a virtue." In a galaxy where valor and bravery was glorified, it was almost strange hearing such disappointment in their words.
"Not when he endangers the lives of men and women needlessly," She fired back, "While a good ship can be repaired and salvaged, good men and women can't."
Taken aback momentarily, he soon smiled as he nodded approvingly. "Wise words," He replied appraisingly, "I can see why the Lord Commander has placed his trust in you." While he could use brave men, it was not what he needed right now. Perhaps it was someone who truly cared for those under them that he needed now.
"I try my lord," She replied as she smiled back. Turning back, she continued, "Now let's move on to the next Candidate…" With her colorful and informative commentary on her fellow officers, the rest of the afternoon would fly by.
A/N:
The plot thickens. His father is dead and now he's on the clock to see if he could get ready before shits goes down. I assure you, he has plans, but he's prioritizing those closest to him first. Also, yes, I took Captain Amelia from Treasure Planet and made an expy of her in here... though as an officer under a human Lord Captain and yes, she is an Abhuman.
With that out of the way, I'd like to thank @vyor. For chapters to chapters to be complete, the fabled vyor is needed. The vyor must flow!
Now if you want to support me or want to read some fic chapters in advance, consider dropping by either Patreon or Ko-Fi. I couldn't have done this without the support.
Ah, Treasure Planet. May she be remembered as the greatest Disney adventure that could have been. Somehow I have a feeling it's not last time we see her.
The government sanctioned cat girl appears!
Seriously though Felinids are weirdly obscure in 40k, probably because people keep trying to paint the Imperium as fascist, even though it's just Militarized Feudalism, and open acceptance of abhumans that aren't just living forklifts is harder to justify under that premise.
Seriously though Felinids are weirdly obscure in 40k, probably because people keep trying to paint the Imperium as fascist, even though it's just Militarized Feudalism, and open acceptance of abhumans that aren't just living forklifts is harder to justify under that premise.
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I really don't want to get into this can of worms, but Imperium is very much ideologically fascist. It simply can't afford to enforce this ideology most of the time because they have bigger fish to fry at the moment.
KillerFish
Grumpy Owl, Bird Lawyer
"Despite common parlance, the local Magos Biologis would like to remind you that the Tau Xenos are not biologically fish, but do encourage frying them."
Ashaeron
Lurker in the Abyss
Here's hoping he has the sense to call the Inquisition on the way out of dodge. Otherwise he's knowingly leaving sorcerous Chaos adherents as SECTOR LORDS. That's an enormous vulnerability and if anyone with power ever gets hold of his name they'll know his origin point.
I mean it isn't though? Yeah it's an authoritarian shit hole where the only way to survive any meaningful length of time is to boot lick man babies, but they're man babies who were born into the position which is the distinction I'm making.
Yeah you definitely wouldn't want to be there when an Inquisitor shows up, but you extra don't want to meet an Inquisitor who looks into your history and finds that your siblings turned to Chaos without anything to say in your defense.
"I told the Inquisition about it after I found out, then I hastily ran away" as a defense has some precedent for Rogue Traders.
avatar11792
Et Sic Incipit
- Location
- Planet Earth, North America
Personally, I'm hoping for at least two Felinid Assault regiments. Not only are they good at self maintenance, they're exceedingly good at stealth and ambushes. Though the fur might be a problem, we'll have to discover the ancient STC known as a Roomba.