Never Give a Yandere a Bolter [A Cliche (Yandere) 40k Romcom] Ch.20 (Patreon)

“And finally… this is Octus Humblestock,” Sabine said, wrapping up her introductions of everyone accompanying her to her superiors. “A fine and upstanding Guardsman. I have never met anyone like him. When we were stranded apart from the regiment together, he did everything in his power to ensure the survival and success of both of us. Even to the point of overcoming death…”

“Overcoming death?” Geneva scoffed. “Surely you exaggerate, Sister.”

Sabine hesitated for a brief moment, unsure whether she could trust her Order with this information, “… I do not… I personally saw his head separated from his shoulders. He gave his life to save mine. It is seemingly only by a miracle that he still walks among us. I… I would do anything to repay my debt. He has more than earned my loyalty…”

Geneva scowled as if what Sabine said had offended her somehow but didn’t say anything more. Lilya looked at Sabine with peaceful and understanding, but all too observant eyes.

“You are still leaving something out, Sabine,” Lilya said without a hint of accusation in her tone. “Perhaps you would like to give us your full report now instead of later?”

Sabine didn’t hesitate at all this time. She freely shared the information about her adventures first with the regiment and then with Octus in the Underhive. She mentioned the Witness and the then-rumors of a ritual. She mentioned Octus’ heroics and how they made their way to Zion. She mentioned the loyal Underhivers who came to their aid — Miko, Diana, and Violet especially.

She received mixed reactions when she spoke of Violet’s true nature and her spontaneous sanctification. While Lilya calmly waited for her to continue and Josmica looked conflicted but willing to listen, Geneva’s scowled only deepened further.

A smirk crossed Sabine’s face as she recalled her interaction with Sona and the catfight that followed. Now that she was more removed from the event, she was able to find the humor in her uncharacteristic actions. Plus, she knew how that story ended… with Sona firmly under control and striving for redemption. Once again, Geneva was not of the same mindset…

When she finally spoke of the ritual and the unleashing of Chaos upon the sacred ground of the Emperor’s church, even Lilya’s calm demeanor was shaken. Sabine watched the Canoness’ face grow serious with cold fury for the first time in her time in the Order. She’d never imagined the gentle and motherly Lilya could display anger that potent. It shook Sabine’s composure for a moment. For a rarely-wielded blade remains sharp enough to fell any foe…

Sabine regaled them with the tale of Octus’ sacrifice. And even knowing that he still lived, she still got choked up remembering his apologetic smile and how the life drained from his eyes in mid-air. She had to take a moment to breathe. Something that even Geneva did not have the heart to interrupt with her constant criticism and skepticism.

After composing herself, Sabine continued her report. As she went into detail about her fight with the Bloodletter, the emotions she felt at the time came through in her voice. The pain, grief, rage, and even love were clear for Lilya and Geneva to hear as Sabine spoke. Lilya shot Geneva a knowing look but neither of them interrupted again.

Josmica was on the edge of her proverbial seat as she listened to her friend describe her fight with an unholy servant of the Great Enemy. It was clear to all three of the Sororitas that there had been more to the rebellion than what they personally encountered. A heretical ritual had been going on right beneath their feet and they were none the wiser until Sabine told them how she stopped it.

The timely rescue from Lady received a gasp of relief from Josmica. Lilya and even Geneva felt similar, wanting to let out cheers for the survival of one of their Order but restraining themselves through the discipline of long lives of service. Geneva may have been stern and sober but she was not heartless, especially when it came to her Sisters-in-arms. She just expected more from them because of how much she cared for them.

Sabine brushed over the spontaneous way she reacted to seeing Octus alive again with a blush. Lilya’s smile grew just a tad wider as she internally cheered for her subordinate’s success in love. The news of Sona’s switched loyalties surprised all three Sisters but the role she and Violet played in closing the portal had them all looking at the duo with begrudging respect. Or gratitude and pride in Lilya’s case.

Sabine’s report wrapped up by detailing the punishment for Sona’s crimes. Geneva, of course, didn’t think it was severe enough. Though even she had to admit that Octus was suitably loyal enough to lead Sona to redemption. Josmica was unsure how to feel and looked to her Canoness for guidance. The pride-filled smile that Lilya was giving Sabine was enough for the other Sister to accept the punishment for what it was.

Geneva, trusting that Sabine’s heart was in the right place, had to begrudgingly accept the punishment as well. She still had pointed questions for Sabine and her new companions though.

“Very well… I shall let the matter with the… former… heretic drop for now. And though I still have reservations about your… decisions, they do not diminish your achievements, Sister Sabine. You’ve done well to bring honor and glory to this Order and the Emperor. It is clear He smiles upon you fondly,” Geneva said imperiously.

She continued, “But you did not act alone… You received aid from Underhivers and Guardsmen alike… even a… former… heretic. I would like to… lightly question your new comrades, Sister Sabine.”

‘Read: interrogate,’ Sabine thought. It was clear that Geneva’s request wasn’t actually a request. It was an order in all but name. And since Sabine knew that interrogation would include Octus, she was more than ready to resist the unspoken order.

“I hope you do not mind if I join your… questioning,” an unknown voice said.

As the source of the voice stepped into the chamber, Sabine noticed a servo-skull lurking in the rafters above them. A foreboding feeling began to rumble in her gut and Sabine suddenly felt as if she would come to regret her loose lips.

The eavesdropping intruder walked with a hip-swaying gait that revealed her as female. The form-hugging clothes and the svelte figure beneath put any doubt of that fact to rest. Her face was hidden in the shade of a wide-brimmed hat. A hat that Sabine recognized and that caused dread to rise in her throat. The Inquisitor was here and she was a Witch-hunter.

A golden laurel rested upon the brim of her hat. A long leather coat was draped with bandoliers and buckles and purity seals. A thin rapier-style blade hung from the belt around her waist and a long rifle was slung across her back. Two-toned hair of white and black spilled out from beneath the hat. And as she came close, her head raised, revealing the Inquisitor’s face.

She was perfectly sculpted in her beauty, giving her an almost gaunt and haunting air. Shrewd and sharp green eyes scanned everyone present, lingering on Sabine, Violet, and Sona before coming to rest on Octus. Cheekbones sharp enough to cut glass and high enough to show noble birth framed a dangerously beautiful face. Plump red lips and an aristocratic nose completed the Inquisitor’s visage.

“Inquisitor Ashe,” Lilya greeted kindly. “What a pleasure for you to join us. It is good to see you again.”

“Guess I don’t have to give you my report now,” Lady joked to hide her nerves and further break the ice.

“You do not. I heard the Sister’s report — Sabine, was it?” Ashe said before turning her attention to Octus, Violet, and Sona. “Some of the details in said report leave me… curious.”

“I…” Sabine hesitated for the briefest of moments. “Am willing to submit to the Inquisition’s questions.”

“It is not you I have questions for,” Ashe replied, her eyes still locked on the three who had grabbed her attention and suspicion.

Sona shrank in on herself under the Inquisitor’s glare and tried to hide behind Octus. She was easily the one that carried the most guilt out of the trio. Though, Violet fared only a little bit better, secure in the belief that her only crime was her birth but a victim to her crippling social anxiety.

Octus did not quail before the Inquisitor at all. He stood straight-backed and steady, allowing the girls to lean upon him and hide slightly behind his bulk. His body language declared one thing loudly and clearly. He was going to vouch for them and their innocence. He was their protector. He was their redemption. Even facing the might of an Imperial Inquisitor, Octus was resolute in his decision.

He met Ashe’s gaze without blinking, “Yeah, I reckon ya want some answers. So do we. But go ahead… Ask away, Inquisitor Ashe.”

Ashe’s eyes narrowed minutely, “Cooperation would be in your best interest, Guardsman. I would be well within my power to have the three of you put to death without even asking anything.”

Octus shrugged, something irreverent and bold overtaking him for a moment, “Ya can try. I’ve already had my head chopped off today. I doubt anything ya can do will live up to that… heh, ‘live’…”

Though Ashe’s glare intensified, Octus’ nonchalant attitude was actually wearing down her suspicion. Heretics and traitors were usually ranting or fighting back at this point. To have someone just accept her right to question them was refreshing and reassuring. She still had to keep up appearances though. It wouldn’t do for this mere Guardsman to not fear her…

“I could have your very soul scoured from the face of the galaxy,” Ashe threatened blatantly. “I employ the services of Psykers in my retinue. Psykers much more well-trained than your little friend there.”

Octus just shrugged for a second time, “Again, ya can try.”

Ashe shifted tactics, “But perhaps your two friends are not as accepting of death as you. Are you willing to risk the lives of those you claim to protect, Guardsman?”

Octus scowled, “Alright, I get it. Ask yer questions already. We ain’t got nothing to hide. I know what I saw. Violet’s got the Emperor’s blessing. I’d swear my apparently immortal life on that. And Sona’s a — what’d ya call it, Lady?”

“A blank,” Lady said helpfully, watching the back and forth with anxiety hidden in her heart.

“Yeah, a blank. So she can’t even fall to Chaos. And she switched her loyalties when it really mattered. She’s a third of the reason we were even able to close that damned portal!”

Ashe raised an imperious eyebrow. That was new information. And it certainly changed some things. If this Sona was truly a blank, a true pariah… then Octus was quite right in trying to redeem her. She was valuable for more than just helping stop a single ritual. As for Octus’ claims about Violet… Ashe would see for herself.

Octus’ “immortality” was a whole other beast. Especially since it was backed up by multiple witnesses. Ashe suspected that even the regular troops and the Underhivers who aided them would testify to his claim.

If that ability got out, it would be a metaphorical gold rush for the higher powers within the Imperium. Immortality was a well-documented mutation of Humanity. After all, the Emperor of Mankind Himself was a Perpetual — as those who possessed the mutation were known. So was Malcador the Sigilite… And the Primarch Vulkan…

Anyone who managed to claim Octus for their own purposes would have a massively potent and influential figurehead under their control. Many within the Imperium would drool at the chance, including various Inquisitors. If Octus was truly a Perpetual as Ashe was beginning to suspect, this would have to be played carefully.

“Why don’t you give me your perspective on events, Octus,” Ashe said, changing her tone ever so slightly to be less hostile and confrontational now that she had a better idea of what she was handling.

Octus did. And as he did, Ashe began to grow more and more concerned. Octus’ testimony painted a picture of a man that was noble and downright kind in a way Ashe had never encountered before. But also a man who had no idea of the influence and charisma that he seemed to naturally wield. Even Ashe, an experienced Ordos Hereticus Inquisitor, found herself swayed by his story.

He was almost painfully naive and it was clear to Ashe that he would be eaten alive by the first malicious or conniving foe that he couldn’t just shoot in the face. He was stalwart and loyal to the bone but both of those traits would only harm him if he dealt with the true powers within the Imperium. Ashe knew she would have to make allowances she usually wouldn’t if she wanted to bring such potential under her wing to protect and nurture it.

"You know this can all be easily verified, right? My Psykers can look into the very souls of your two companions there. They would suss out every lie you might have told,” Ashe said.

She was giving him a chance to back down. To say this was all some farce, some deception to cover for a heretic and an untrained Psyker. There would still be punishment but Octus himself might get out of it all relatively unscathed. But in her heart, Ashe already knew that wasn’t the case. That everything Octus said was true. That there wasn’t a deceitful bone in his body.

“Go ahead?… But… wouldn’t they not be able to see Sona’s soul, ya know, ‘cause she’s a blank and all that?” The way Octus cocked his head to the side as if he couldn’t figure out that someone would lie about everything he claimed, sealed the deal for Ashe.

Ashe sighed as her hardened Inquisitor mask fell out of place, “That would be proof enough. I’ll still need to verify some things but… I believe you. You, Octus Humblestock, are a Perpetual. One that the Emperor seems to favor an unusual amount.”

While those in the know gasped softly at the confirmation of what they were all thinking, Octus just looked lost, “Uh… what’s a Perpetual?”

“An immortal Human,” Lilya explained gently. “Like the Emperor and His Sigilite. You are in good company, Octus. Why, I’ve even heard rumors that the Guardsman who stood between Horus and the Emperor was a Perpetual as well.”

Octus was left with only one thing he could say, “Those… are some big shoes to fill…”

“You have done very well so far, Octus Humblestock. The Emperor is proud of you,” a soft but powerful disembodied voice echoed around the chamber.

As Octus and the others looked around for the source of yet another intruding voice, the Guard officers who were watching from the sidelines felt their knees go weak. They couldn’t stop themselves from falling to their knees and supplicating themselves before the mere sound of the voice. Everyone but Octus had reactions that were similar but not on the same scale as the officers. Even Inquisitor Ashe and Canoness Lilya felt the need to bow before the yet-unknown voice that invoked the grandeur of glittering gold…