The Emperor’s Will
Zelia wasn’t the only one feeling like a spare part. In the Cognis chamber, Nalos was busy repairing the controls while Corlak fussed around the helmet which was again lowered around Jeremias’s head. All Talen could do was listen to Grimm desperately trying to tear down the door.
‘Should I let him in?’ Talen asked.
Jeremias shook his head. ‘No. He would only get in the way.’
I know the feeling, Talen thought.
‘I was impressed by the way you stood up for your friend,’ Jeremias said as his servo-skull scrutinised the cables. ‘You are as brave as you are strong.’
Talen felt his cheeks burn. It had been a long time since anyone had praised him. ‘I don’t know about that.’
‘It does make me wonder why such a gifted boy isn’t serving in the Imperial Guard?’
Talen’s blood turn to ice. Would Jeremias be so complimentary if he knew that Talen was a deserter, that he had ran away rather than join the Guard?
‘I… I was supposed to sign up…’
‘But you chose a different path.’
Talen nodded. ‘Yes. I did. But I can explain–’
The inquisitor raised a hand to stop him. ‘There is no need. I assume you ended up running with a gang.’
‘Is it that obvious?’
Jeremias nodded at his chest. ‘The patches are a bit of a giveaway.’
Talen glanced down at the symbol of the Runak Warriors sewn onto his vest. The stitching had started to fray, the patch coming loose. Talen pressed it flush against the green fabric of the sleeveless jacket, the embroidered twine rough against his fingers. His life beneath the streets of Rhal Rata seemed an eternity ago now.
When he looked up again, the inquisitor had produced a small wooden figure from his coat. He held it up, watching Talen’s expression.
‘Yours, I presume.’
Talen rushed forward, snatching the toy from the inquisitor’s fingers. ‘I thought I’d lost it.’
Jeremias nodded. ‘On the ice-planet. Zelia asked how I found you.’
Talen glanced up from the toy. ‘My Guardsman?’
‘It was obviously precious to you. I didn’t need my psychic abilities to tell me that.’
Talen clasped the figure in his hand, a tear rolling down his cheek. He brushed it away, embarrassed. ‘Sorry.’
‘Don’t be. I saw why you ran, Talen. Felt the pain when your brother didn’t return from war. Witnessed the cruelty of your father.’
‘He thought he knew best.’
‘He was wrong. I for one am glad you didn’t end up dying on a backwater planet, a lasrifle in your hands. You deserve better.’
Talen sniffed, slipping the soldier into his pocket. ‘I don’t know about that.’
‘I do,’ Jeremias insisted. ‘I see great potential in you, Talen. We will do wonderful things together, you and I. Would you like that?’
Talen pressed his hand against his pocket, feeling the edges of the soldier through the fabric. ‘Yeah, I think I would. Thank you.’
‘For what?’
‘For keeping it safe for me.’
The inquisitor smiled. ‘My pleasure. I mean what I say. Together, we will find Amity and recover the Diadem. Together, we will make things better.’ He glanced at the control console. ‘If Nalos ever gets it working again, that is…’
The tech-adept held up a ringed finger. ‘I just need five more minutes, sire. Ten at the most.’
‘I’m glad to hear it, Nalos,’ Jeremias said. ‘Young Master Stormweaver is keen to bring Captain Amity to justice, aren’t you, Talen?’
Talen nodded. He had thought she was his friend, but had been mistaken. He wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.