A relatively obscure piece of knowledge: when a human experiences emotional fluctuations, the subtle scent they emit changes. These microscopic details go unnoticed by mortals, but they are easily captured by the heightened senses of a functional Astartes.
And Enkidu was exactly such a being.
A complex cloud of biological data swirled around the noblewoman, vividly displaying her internal shifts: pain, hatred, confusion, ecstasy, piety, the lingering bitterness of Drukhari toxins, and finally, the germination of… greed.
"Interesting." Enkidu took a casual step forward, now certain that this woman was soone he could talk to. "As a reckless explorer, smuggler, slave-owner, and pirate of this galaxy, you still hold onto your faith in the False Emperor? I would have thought you'd tossed your creed into the void the mont you started dealing with xenos and heretics."
"Silence! How dare you slander our Great Master!"
The noblewoman's eyes widened, a clear attempt to mask her inner wavering.
"I didn't say a word; you confessed it yourself." He spread his hands innocently, relishing her silent fury. "A Rogue Trader is the most liberated entity in the Imperium, the one most suited to treating with xenos and heretics. Am I correct, Lord Rogue Trader of the Von Valancius Dynasty?"
"When did you find out? I'm certain I told you nothing."
The Rogue Trader's posture slumped; she looked like a punctured balloon.
Enkidu allowed a smile to cross his face beneath his helt, a flicker of satisfaction warming his chest—the bluff had worked. Truthfully, he only knew the Rogue Trader had to be one of the three captives (excluding the Sister of Battle), but he couldn't pinpoint exactly which one. A single, calculated gamble had flushed her out.
"Your own dear subordinates, of course. Is it not common for a Dynasty to harbor ambitious fools? They believe you had a hand in the death of the previous Rogue Trader, Theodora—that your succession was an illegal usurpation. They want to install soone with a 'purer' bloodline."
And then lead that puppet straight into the arms of the heretics? Utterly moronic, Octavia thought. Then, she realized with a pang of bitter irony that she was no longer a high-born noble, but a slave to these very heretics.
There wasn't much difference between the two, really; both were the type that the Inquisition would execute on sight.
"So?" Octavia looked up, her feigned despair replaced by a cool, calculating gaze. "Are you telling this to deepen my misery, or just to prove you have more brains than those idiots?"
"Neither." Enkidu sat opposite her, maintaining a respectful but firm distance. "I want you to know that I understand your situation perfectly. You have no leverage to negotiate with—except yourself."
"What do you want to do?"
"Continue being a Rogue Trader, of course." He silently praised her for being smarter than the average Imperial blockhead; at least she didn't scream "For the Emperor" and charge blindly the mont things went south. She was a thinker. "And on so future day, when I have need of you, you will repay this debt."
"You consider this a favor? Without you, I'd still be living my life quite comfortably."
Enkidu rely offered a soft, non-committal "Oh?"
If this Rogue Trader cooperated, it would be ideal. He could conduct small-scale trade for the new marks of Power Armor and vehicles the warband desperately needed, or even use her channels to secure a small warp-capable vessel of his own—a ticket to freedom. If she refused, he would simply find another candidate or seed her ship with "creative" cultist tools to force her hand.
It was despicable, yes, but in a world like this, one had to employ the necessary ans to survive.
"I agree. I don't exactly have a choice."
Recalling the divine revelation she had seen in her vision, Octavia nodded with surprising frankness. If His Majesty had personally issued an edict, why overthink it? She would follow the thread. As for the consequences… the vision had shown her successfully succeeding the throne on Dagonus.
"You're a smart woman. You understand what's best for you. I'm not a harsh master; provided our goals align, I will provide you with 'standard' benefits. If you wish, you can even go to the Inquisition."
"The Inquisition?!"
The Rogue Trader never expected such a word to drop from the mouth of a traitor Astartes. Wasn't he afraid of an Inquisitor summoning a Chapter to purge them? Or was this warband… itself a black-ops asset of the Holy Ordos?
"I assu your hearing is intact, my dear Rogue Trader," Enkidu said, his voice soft but edged with a lingering chill. "I've had quite enough of this life—scavenging for scraps while my leaders succumb to madness. Rather than stay on a sinking wreck, I'd prefer to jump to a larger ship, even if that ship is also full of holes. Don't tell you people never tolerate heretics; if you were truly that extre, Inquisitors wouldn't keep daemon-hosts, and the Astartes wouldn't have the Deathwatch."
What?
Octavia was stunned for a mont, followed by a surge of frantic joy.
It all made sense. This Astartes had saved her specifically to escape his own kind. If she could facilitate this, it wouldn't just be a legendary entry in her dynasty's chronicles—it would be a massive political victory for whatever Inquisitor handled the case.
To bring a stray Angel back to the Path… how glorious. Octavia's mind whirled with ambition, a predatory smile touching her lips.
"If that is truly your intent, I will find a way to introduce you. To ensure our future cooperation is fruitful, let introduce myself properly. I am Octavia von Valancius, the newly appointed Rogue Trader of the Von Valancius Dynasty."
"Enkidu. You may also call Aeternus Komnenos."
The Astartes removed his helt, revealing his face.
Emperor… he is beautiful.
Octavia stared at him, unable to look away.
He looked like a masterpiece carved from alabaster, a figure ant for gilded halls rather than blood-slicked battlefields. His snow-white hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, and a silver band set with a white crystal adorned his brow. Beneath soft, noble brows, his violet eyes were clouded with deep contemplation.
Even in his speech, he possessed a refined cultivation—not the crude savagery of a common killer.
"Ahem."
"My apologies. I drifted off. If you weren't an Astartes, I think I would begin courting you imdiately," the Rogue Trader said with shaless boldness. "One last question: where are my companions who were captured in the chapel? I need them to assist , or my efficiency will suffer."
"They are alive and well. You needn't worry about their safety. However, if you intend to work with , I strongly advise you to keep that Sister of Battle away. I'd rather not have to kill her if she tries sothing foolish."
Enkidu's warning was sharp, interrupted by the sudden vibration of the helt in his hand.
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