The Return of the Man In Black Pt. I

The planet Altairius Prime, headquarters of the Grand Inquisition. A male choir can be heard chanting, it echoes throughout the towered fortress-monastery complex. A brown-robed functionary brother makes his way down the vaulted stone corridors to the offices of the Grand Inquisitor.

He waited outside the immense wooden doors where two large power armored troopers stood like statues. One of them turned and stated "His Holiness will grant you audience now, brother."

As the functionary passed the guard hissed sotto voce "Keep it brief! He is in a foul mood today!"

"When is he not?" thought the brother, but quickly shooed the thought from his mind as unworthy.

The inner chamber was dimly lit by glowglobes, a cloying incense assaulted his nostrils.

The brother entered and knelt on one knee, head bowed.

He trembled. "I am standing less than a meter from the most dangerous man in the Empire." he thought.

"Arise, brother. And report." intoned the Grand Inquisitor.

"Your holiness...I bring distressing news. The Temporal Authority has failed to apprehend the being Thousand Sons."

The Grand Inquisitor frowned. In a dead voice he asked simply "Why?"

The brother cleared his throat. "The officer assigned, Darloch Khentari, has apparently gone native. No further sign of him has been found."

"And the Authority? Have they been made...aware of Our displeasure?"

The brother shuddered at the memory. "Yes, milord. They have repented their error."

"Hmmm. And where is this Khentari now?"

"On Earth, milord. Where Thousand Sons is currently."

"Pfah! Earth." spat the Grand Inquisitor. "The very name is like an epithet upon my tongue! Would that we could perform an Exterminatus upon that globe and cleanse it! Fie upon the Treaty!" he said slamming his fist on his desk.

The brother said nothing, but swallowed hard. "There is more, milord. There is word of a demon loose on the planet. It plays at being human, but is truly an undead creature. It appears as male or female at will. Somehow it is tied into this as well."

The Grand Inquisitor's eyes narrowed. "This cannot be borne."

He folded his hands together. "Send Inquisitor Essington Streck to deal with this situation."

The brother blanched briefly at the name. "Streck...milord?"

"Aye. Streck. He is our finest Inquistor. He will not be swayed by that planets filthy ways."

The brother bowed deeply and made to leave.

"Oh, and brother?" asked the Grand Inquisitor.

The brother froze mid step.

"I am always in a foul mood." said the Grand Inquisitor. "Pray you do not make it fouler upon your return."

The brother sputtered and scurried away.

---

The cherry blossoms were in full bloom on Altarius Prime this time of year.

Streck had waited patiently for this day, wanting to savor springtime in its fullest.

Streck was a man of middle years, neither young nor old. Powerfully built and barrel chested.

He sat outside at an easel ruminating about the landscape, stroking his close cropped grey beard. His large hand delicately lifted his paint brush with obvious dexterity. He winced slighty, disappointed, as he saw the brown-robed functionary walking towards him.

"I am summoned again, brother?" he rumbled. It was more of a statement than a question.

"Yes, Brother Inquisitor. Your orders are in this dossier."

The functionary handed Streck a black leather packet bearing the silver seal of the Inquisition.

Streck looked at it and nodded. "Thank you brother. Begone now." he said, waving the brother away.

Cherry blossoms fluttered down like confetti in the air.

Streck closed his eyes and breathed deeply. "So." he exhaled.

He looked wistfully at his empty canvas.

"Another day, old friend."