Two weeks later, we returned to Machine Forge to some well-needed rest and repair.

My ships were battered and scoured with craters and scars, the crew had seen more combat than an entire Segmentum Battlefleet and our regiments were on the brink of mental and physical exhaustion.

I would have to rotate the troops, and send these people back on their colony worlds. Injured Auxilia troopers would need bionic limbs and organs, and all of their equipment would need an entire year to refurbish and upgrade.

However, there were some good news too, as more Mechanicus ships had arrived with Manufactorum ships, even the promised one from Forge Cypra Mundi with the Nova Cannon experts.

The coven of Ordo Xenos Inquisitors was back in force, a dozen new women escorting the six ladies I had close ties with.

I could guess what they wanted, simply by noting their eyes measuring my body like a piece of prime meat.

"My ladies, and honored guests. I hope you have found the Machine Forge to your liking." I offered as I gestured towards the full table.

I was rich now, and could afford to offer any and all delicacies available on the market.

"We have found this place very welcoming, Lord Lancefire. But generous table aside, we need your aid to complete our duties. Protection from psykers and Chaos corruption, elite troops as bodyguards and enforcers, and advanced weapons and scanners to combat xenos with same level of firepower and ability." A middle-aged woman explained with a level voice.

I measured the woman with curious eyes. She wore a revealing dress which emphasized a generous bust and a belt filled with exotic weaponry and other devices.

"I see you have quite the arsenal already, Lady Inquisitor. Eldar weapons, digital weapons, conversion shield and psych-out grenades...I suppose some power armor could help though." I replied demurely.

The woman grit her teeth at my fake idiocy. "I once had to marry the scumbag Governor of Hive World Necromunda, just to reach his inner circle to investigate. Not the most pleasant job I had." she grumbled while pushing her breasts even higher. "Don't make me beg to join your bed, Rogue Trader." she continued in a dignified voice.

The other women blushed and looked at me under long eyelashes, while Amberley snorted in amusement. "The news spread fast, Pef. It would seem your body is a high-prized commodity in certain circles." she commented in a wry tone.

"I see. I don't mind a few more lovers, esteemed ladies. I can indeed help you all greatly, with knowledge and artifacts and troop support, plus access to my personal intelligence agency and various Mechanicus projects that investigate xenos species and weapons. Even your own Blank children and Null Rods to aid you against psykers or demons. However...there is the reverse of the coin to consider." I replied in a stern tone, while my eyes turned cold.

Lady Adrielle nodded gently at my words. "I already explained that, Pef. You do not tolerate traitors, no matter their station. Especially Inquisitors."

I chewed on the crispy grox meat as my eyes focused on each of the new women. Then I sipped some wine to clear my throat. "As long as we're clear. I have killed Greater Demons and Inquisitors alike, plus corrupted priests and techpriests, Chaos space marines and traitor Primarchs. Plots and cabals formed inside the Imperium's leaders have caused more damage than any xeno invasion. But here in the Eastern Fringe, I have complete power over everyone. We may lack the light of the Astronomican, but I can still reach anyone that disobeys me and crush them."

"Can I study the C'tan?" a thin red-haired Inquisitor asked in a soft voice.

I locked on her with a glare. "Learn from him, you mean. The C'tan are billions of years old, and they are much stronger than any creature we can imagine. Their knowledge of the universe and technology is quite near the limit of everything possible, and it doesn't involve the Warp at all. And unlike the Necrons, their memories are not lost due to stasis and age." I explained in a warning voice, then sipped more wine.

"As you say, Lord Lancefire. It would seem you hold the C'tan in great respect." she replied with a wry tone.

"The Mighty Zarhulash inside the Pharos is a mere shard, a broken C'tan, not even a thousandth of his full power. But even so, if free, Zarhulash could lay waste to a galactic sector with ease. Even I am not yet his equal, and that should tell you everything, my lady." I said with a pained sigh, and continued my meal in silence.

The woman glanced at Adrielle for confirmation, at which the brunette Inquisitor replied with a shrug. "If Pef says it is so, it is probably worse. He tends to classify all enemies into killable right now or killable later. And you read his kill list already, a list which is very likely not complete."

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I grinned genially and brought Canis beside me to treat him some expensive meat. "And what list would that be, Lady Adrielle? Someone is writing my life's achievements in a diary?" I asked at random, while petting the Space Wolf on its curious snout.

Beside me, Amberley chocked on her wine by accident.

"Woof! Woooo?" Canis inquired with a discerning gaze over my new harem.

"Yes, my loyal friend. These bitches want more puppies, and you'll get to play with the kids too. Maybe you can take them out on a jungle world, to train?" I mused in a thoughtful tone.

Canis snatched an entire bird from the table and masticated with gusto. "....Grrrr. Mwooo. Woof!" he replied after a minute.

"Fine! You'll get more fried birds. Now run along and visit your own lady friends." I commanded with a gesture towards the door.

In a flash, the Fenrisian wolf turned and sped away, faster than a race car.

"My name is Inquisitor Jena_Orechiel, Lord Lancefire. I hope we can become friends too, one day." the first black-haired woman proposed while holding her crystal glass high.

I smiled politely and raised my glass as well. "Yes, Lady Jena. I believe we will."

Some time later, I got the busty woman to beg for me to stop, eyes glazed with lust and ecstasy.

"Tired already, sweet Jena? It has only been two hours." I asked in fake naivety as I turned and let the woman rest on my chest.

"...It was great, but I'm not so young anymore. Would you be interested in meeting my daughter, Merelda? She is aboard my spaceship now, but I'm training her to become an Inquisitor as well." Jena murmured in a soft voice.

A mother/daughter pair, in my bed? Now this would be interesting indeed.

"I suppose I can sacrifice myself and accept your daughter too, my dear. But you better stay and provide maternal support. I'm on a tight schedule and cannot waste time on romancing girls, as sad as it sounds." I demanded in a generous voice.

"...Let me take a shower and talk it over with her." Lady Jena asked in a less cheerful voice.

Probably not expecting my shameless demand, but I really didn't have time for a prolonged romance. This was a fucking duty, and they'll probably depart as soon as they had what they came for.

Only I didn't mind too much, as a threesome would do wonders for my spirit.

An hour later, Jena returned with a shy Merelda while I took my own shower and replenished lost fluids.

"Lord Lancefire...I'm...willing to..." the girl stammered while avoiding my eyes.

"Cheer up, my dear. This will be actually pleasant and your mother is here to keep you safe. Just close your eyes, and follow my voice." I whispered as I drew away the bedsheet.

Unlike her mother, Merelda was not experienced in bed, but we made it work anyway. A couple of hours later, I had the pair moaning under me, as they embraced each other with sweaty skin and dreaming eyes.

They were spent and exhausted though, so I sent them to sleep in a nearby room. We'll resume the duty tomorrow, as I had more women to enjoy.

I paired one old and one new lovers together, starting with Adrielle and the red-haired Inquisitor called Dolores. Despite their tremendous willpower, I managed to lay them low a few hours later and we fell asleep in a sweet haze of endorphins and sated lust.

Then next day, I woke up to find my wife Dae and Zeta, the young Titan Princeps in my room, examining the scene with curios eyes.

"Lord Pef! Look, I'm all grown up now, and my breasts are big too!" Zeta proclaimed and opened her robes to prove her statement.

The girl had grown nicely indeed, having transformed into a busty beauty with the passage of time and healthy eating. More than a decade had passed since I last saw her, and she was now a promising woman and a decent Titan pilot.

Probably scheduled to pilot the other Emperor-class in the Titan Legion, given that my wife had escorted her to my bed.

"My lord husband, you like what a delicious morsel I've found for you?" Lady Dae asked in a wry voice, while also disrobing herself.

I nodded kindly. "You're the best, my dear wife. How should I reward you?" I replied in a teasing voice, as my spear sprang up for battle.

She told me and I grinned in victory. Dae was a great wife indeed.