I spent two more weeks at Antax to prepare the gene crucibles for cloneskeins and Sentinel factories, plus upgrading the manufactorums to be able to produce new Thalax suits and Dunecrawlers, and boosting their defense fleet with 100 cruisers and 10000 corvettes hulls, that only needed the internal fixtures applied inside.

I was fairly confident that the Blanks I left at Forge Antax would not be dissected and transformed into lobotomized servitors, but to make sure to won't happen, I based the Weepers Chapter on the Forge World and gave them the Vidar Sector as a primary mission to protect, with the Hive Worlds of Vidar and Praedis Zeta as their main Auxilia base, and war zones like the Darkfall_System and Sanctuary_101 their main targets to pacify.

That meant I had to visit the local Imperius Reavers Chapter and impose Blank recruits as their future Astartes, using the model already established by Roboute with the White Lancers. And while the good Primarch wasn't with me, I did have a Custodes or two to impose the Emperor's will.

'Data-core network online and stable with Antax and Hypnoth, Captain. We will have eyes on everything they do, and monitor the performance of the new Blanks via live feeds. These techno-barbarian priests should learn what the pretty green dots mean, on their implants.' the Blade AI confirmed as we sped to FTL speed towards Forge Machina.

'Indeed. But sadly, there is no university in the Imperium to teach them the science of Tachyon particles and the other things with the balls.' I answered with a grin.

'The tautocrone curve of the least action, with the balls. Very adult of you, Lord Captain. Next, you'll talk about the orange beam that makes things go pooof!' the Blade commented in a wry tone.

'I would guess you know about the Adrastite tech?' I mused with a glance at my new de-atomizer glove. Should make it easy to open any door that refused a polite knock. By evaporating the door.

'Your Emperor was wise to collect all such weapons from the barbarians that might use them to open doors. You should live test it on a C'tan on the first occasion. Maybe on that evil thing with red eyes.' the AI proposed with a wary voice.

I sighed inward, thinking on the black wolf named Kali. He certainly didn't invent the name on the spot. Most likely the reverse, humanity perceived the threat of Kalugura and created the myth of Kali, just like the Nightbringer produced the image of death with a scythe in the minds of our ancestors.

I opened my eyes as Shalisha leaned down to kiss me, while Merelda smacked on my lance faster and faster until it burst. "My lord, have you decided on a course of action?"

The Inquisitor asked when she drew back for air.

I pointed a lazy finger at Valerian the Second. "The good Custode will escort you to Damocles and execute everyone involved. Retrieve their Rosettes and then return to Mars with Sorana and Mirella, so that the Emperor can meet all three of you. The fleet will also contain a million Blank recruits for the Astartes program, and some more to become Inquisitors and other Agents of the Throne. My son Laur will command this task force, as the Emperor requested his presence on Mars."

The second Custode raised a finger to object, then sighed. "You suspect some kind of xenos interference in my genetic template, Lord Lancefire. I admit, this worries me as well. The Emperor should examine me, like he did with the clone of Fulgrim."

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Very smart, the Custodes. But like most humans in this era, he was right, for the wrong reasons. I just wanted to use him as my enforcer, since murdering Inquisitors out right was a big problem, even for other Inquisitors. Not so much for a Custode, who was in fact the Emperor's will made manifest.

The Inquisitors changed places and I rested my head in Merelda's lap as Shalisha climbed on the fun ride.

"There are some STC templates I will send to Mars as well, and your access codes will make the waiting line much shorter. Things like a planetary shield and a power source for it. I would hazard a guess, and think the Emperor will be pleased with my discoveries." I added to make the Custode less suspicious of me. I didn't have a planetary shield yet, but I knew who would.

"... Discoveries. I was there when you 'discovered' the Sunfire bottle STC." Valerian muttered in mild displeasure. As if priceless STC data-slates were so easy to obtain.

"Exactly! The Emperor will want to hear your first-hand account, then verify the STC integrity for subtle sabotage or some other interference. My metal friend is generally trustworthy, but his higher boss was there as well. Something to do with a sleeping dragon, but the Emperor will know more." I explained in a mild voice, then focused on the wonderful lady greasing my lance.

Lady Shalisha shuddered and came as her own baby bottle was filled with my seed, then she rested on my chest. "You want me to meet the Emperor?" she whispered with a hesitant voice. Not very excited at the prospect of getting bathed in the light of the Emperor, how wise a woman.

"I would send all Inquisitors to meet the Emperor in person, but that's not my call. Luckily, I don't hold a Warmaster rank anymore, so the Imperium's inner workings are not that important to me. You will be safe, with a child of mine in your tummy." I answered in a kind voice, while Valerian glared at me for no reason.

"I hope Sorana and Mirella get their Rosettes from the Emperor's hand. I wasn't able to find a Conclave that would support their ascension." Lady Merelda said with a sharp voice, and caressed my face with a loving hand.

"Of course. Can't have Inquisitors immune to the Warp and the mind-control of xenos species. Too suspicious. Better use psykers, right? Those make perfect sense." I grumbled as I drew a tiny flake of psyker power through my lance from Lady Shalisha and she shuddered again.

My bedroom's door rang with a knock, then Semnai's head poked inside. "All good, Lady Velayne. Your husband seems finished with your colleagues." the Deathwatch Astartes spoke with a wry voice, and nodded at the Custode guarding me.

Lady Velayne entered like a queen, and observed the scene with a superior pose, as if expecting nothing less. "Good, you two got your share, now go! I should ask for two favors, for the pleasure of using my husband's lance as well." she noted with a mild voice, and the two women ran out without any comment. My wife seemed to be quite scary for those in her Ordo.

"What are you waiting for, Pef? Go shower and come back clean. Semnai, out!" she demanded in a forceful voice, making her Deathwatch bodyguard shut the door at speed.

I smiled at her management skill and jumped in my shower to get the sweat and smell of other women off. I was almost clean when Velayne joined me in the shower, probably too horny to wait. Oh well. Time to get sweaty again.