"You must face the truth squarely and without flinching from duty.

Our enemies are mortal no longer.

Any glimpse of humanity they may show is merely a deception.

Dedicate this weapon, given into your hand at the behest of the Emperor, to their destruction.

Regard its function as your only duty: you live only to purge the Daemon.

Take up your rod and staff, your armour and psycannon, and go forth."
— Lectures to the Ordo, Inquisitor Galbus Heer

  "I am guessing, you are available for dinner tonight, Melisende," asked Mar jokingly.

  Melisende and I had just entered the palace, a servitor carrying Melisende's personal belongings. I had voxed ahead to let Mar know that Melisende will be staying at the palace until we departed for our mission. Mar had laughed at me.. I knew why he had laughed at me, what he wanted to say to me, and that he would not over the vox.  I should be mad, but I have know Mar so long.  Mar knew about my relationship with Melisende, why I had ended it, and other things I do not want to discuss at this time. I give Mar that leeway as the Palace is more his than it is mine. 

  "What room am I staying in Mar," Melisende responded a little irritated at Mar, and probably me.  

  "The Garden room, of course. Only the finest for you, Inquisitor Tyre," Mar responded smirking.

  "You..." Melisende said shockingly as she climbed the stairs towards her temporary quarters.

  "Are well informed or is it a word that is not very lady like to use," Mar said, taping his chin. 

  "You know she can kill you if she wanted too," I tell Mar as I walk towards him. 

   "I hope I would have a head start since she would stab you before attempting to killing me.  The list you requested. I talked to the Captain. "Bringer of the Emperor's Blessing" will be here in 3 days time," Mar says to me as he hands me a Data Slate. 

  'So I need to assemble my team in less than 2 days, then. Or did you already select them," I look at Mar.

  "Yes, I did. I know you, and without knowing the mission fully, I know the individuals you would want around you. They will all will be here in the morning." Mar said as we walk to the library. 

  "Mar, did you want to join the mission," I looked at him.

  "Tobias, once upon a time, I would have. Now not so much. The years have not been kind. My body has gotten slower, older, and honestly, I don't think I could beat a Nurgling in fight. My place is here, taking care of the palace, training the new staff and agents, performing all the research, and keeping track of our inventory," Mar said heavily. 

  "Mar, you know," I go to respond as he raises his hand to silence me. 

  "Not now. We have things to discuss. Daemonym Seeker Spencer, is one of the best I have ever trained. Better than I ever was. I had him on loan to other Ordo Malleus Inquisitors, to gain field experience. Auto Savant Bachman and Banisher Esmerelda helped trained Spencer so they will all work together. Banisher Esmerelda, has worked with the Captain on the "Bringer of the Emperor's Blessing" previously and recommended Drill Abbott Gabriel and Redemptionist Zealot Constantinus, Religious Purity a must on this mission as always. Mystics Caspain and Aurora are well rested and combat proven. That leaves your weapons experts. "Trey" Maxis is on planet, so he was a go to as he likes getting his hands dirty. Pistoleer Wes Hardin has been backing up your lead Interrogator Maya Bikowsky," Mar continued. 

  "That leaves my choice of Gun Servitors, cherubs and servo skulls. Gun Servitor X-954 and X-843, Cherub Octavius, and Servo Skull Mathis" I said.

  "Yes. And did you want team for Melisende. I have my suggestions on the data slate," Mar asks as we enter the Library.