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Post by MagusKariusPrelune on Oct 17, 2004 6:06:15 GMT -5
Originally posted by Judge Bob
++ Unknown Location, Terra ++
Twenty figures stood in a circle in the expansive round room, an Omega marked at its centre in black granite. The room was illuminated solely by torches, and several figures watched discreetly from a balcony. Sitting on a table at the centre of the circle, atop the Great Seal, was a table, on which sat a plain apron, marked only with an Omega crest in gold.
One of the figures stepped to the middle of the circle, and placed the apron over shoulders. He started to talk. He was an Adept, of the Administratum, and his speech outlined the week's major events in the halls of the Great Libraries, Offices and Censoria. As he spoke, his assembled brethren listened intently.
On the balcony, two figures, both wearing Aprons marked with the Omega Crest, talked quietly.
"For nearly ten thousand years, Brother Four, our order has sought this chance. For a thousand years, our total rule from the shadows has been opposed by the six Uninitiated. I see a chance to change this. We must convene the Inner Circle to discuss it."
"So, Brother Six? What know you?"
The figure said merely one word. "Gan."
++ St. Alcone's Basilica, Sacerdos-Districia, Europa-Continentalis, Holy Terra ++
Archdeacon Sandlin held the book above the head of the silent parishoner. He arched back his head, and screamed.
"Out! Out! The Emperor Commands you!"
He lifted the book with two hands, and brought it down on the parishoner's head.
Sandlin retreated to his chambers, as two young initiates dragged the unconscious parishoner away. Sandlin was startled to see two figures dressed in black doublet and pantaloons, covered by simple black capes and wearing black gloves.
"Your presence is requested, Archdeacon. The Inner Circle is convened."
++ Hab-Block 92B, Hive Tertius, America-Continetalis, Holy Terra ++
Joseph Grund tapped his keyboard, looking for messages. There was a knock at his door. He picked up his naval pistol - he was always slightly wary that it might be the Arbites, coming to drag him away and beat a confession out of him.
"Joe! Joe! It's Kelly!" Kelly Simons, Joe's co-investigator. The two ran an investigative agency out of their bedsits, but in recent years, the two had been alomst totally dedicated to one task. Discovering 'Omega'.
Kelly was frantic. She was not, however, too busy to close the door behind her, and pull the ten latches shut, plus the three chains pulled across the door. She engaged the final mechanism, an electromagentic lock.
"Joe! I found it! Look here... there are twenty levels in the Omega hierarchy... or at least I think there are... well there are twenty routes in and out of Capitol Imperialis, at least twenty road routes that is. Now the only one of them to have twenty lanes is Via-01, which travels on a bearing of 020 degrees. Now looking at Map Reference 00020, cross-referencing co-ordinates 20 degrees north with 20 degrees east, we draw a line between the two (to within a twenty foot margin of error) and then draw a point on the map. Naturally, we look at the twentieth storey of the premises, and we've done it!"
"I thought the same thing, Kelly. I've been to the premises, but it only has ten storeys. Maybe we're working to the wrong hive... What's Capitol Imperialis's longitudinal Code reference?"
"Guess? Twenty, of course, Joe."
"Damn... so we were right first time... There's got to be some mileage in this! Keep working, Kelly... I'm going to grab a nap."
"Slacker." Said Kelly, picking up a notebook and leaving.
++ The Villa Italia, Ecclesiarchy Diocesean Reserve, Holy Terra ++
Gan read the letter out loud. It was from Jacob Hosstor.
"Your eminence, My penance goes well. The Emperor comes to me every day in my dreams. I shall see you in six weeks. Jacob."
He turned back to his guest, the Ecclesiarch Gregor Byzantine IV. The two had enjoyed a particularly rousing discussion on the value of penance. Gan had produced the letter to support his claim that Hosstor might be brought back into the fold of the Emperor's light.
Byzantine looked around the Villa. It was decorated drably, greys and browns being the order of the day. Everywhere, cheap sack-cloth and burlap covered surface, and the Ecclesiarch found himself squriming for confort on the hard, flat, wooden pew. Gan was careful to ensure that his appearance was as simple and humble as possible when recieving visits from key Ministorum members. He wore a hair robe and wooden aquila, very different from the silk and gold he was used to. His skin itched.
"Paulorin, I must talk with you, for I fear you may be the last man I can trust. Forces are afoot, and I know not how to control them. I have been approached, and coerced for many years. They are legion, and they are strong. I fear they may hold deep sway over our beloved Church already. But they must not be trusted... they simply cannot."
Gan frowned. "And they are?"
"The Most Secret Order of the Illuminéd Hand. They call themselves 'The Alpha and The Omega'."
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Post by MagusKariusPrelune on Oct 17, 2004 6:08:22 GMT -5
Originally posted by inquisitornexus
Cardinal Paulorin Gan tried hard not to raise an eyebrow in suspicion, and failed. He felt hard pressed to keep his emotions in check, the gown of goat hair on the verge of driving him insane. The goat hair alone, that was, Gan could hardly forget the amount of burlap, and the time spent redecorating for this day alone. Despite being one of the Ecclesiarch’s pupils since his birth on Terra, Paulorin always strived to keep on the High Lord’s good side, trying to gain that favor that he so dearly wanted and needed. At least Hosstor was still in one piece, he thought gleefully, only a bit longer till the penitent came home. “Paulorin?” said Gregor, a note of irritation in his voice. Gan cursed himself inwardly, it always seemed to be a strange habit that he would drift off into thought when the Ecclesiarch spoke to him. “Err…just thinking, your Holiness. The…’Most Secret Order’”, he said, just barely keeping a hint of sarcastic contempt from his voice, “would you care to elaborate?” Pouring the High Lord another glass of fine wine in the ornate goblet, as opposed to his own wooden cup, Gan awaited an answer….
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Post by MagusKariusPrelune on Oct 17, 2004 6:12:35 GMT -5
Originally posted by Judge Bob
"Ah, the Order... well, suffice to say, there is little I know of it. I myself was approached and offered initiation, when I was on the Synod.
I can tell you little of them, other than the fact that they are an ancient and secret Society, as old as the New Imperium themselves, and their members some of the most powerful men in the Imperium.
However, I declined their invitation, for their wish is singlefold... they desire power. They do not seek office, but they sponsor candidates into positions of power, using their considerable influence, and then puppeteer them behind the scenes.
They have all the power, with none of the responsibility. What is more, their secrecy makes them dangerous. One can never know who is an Illuminéd Hand. They don't do their secret handshakes in public, you know. The only way to find them... is to be found by them."
Gan's face was pale. The Ecclesiarch took a sip of wine, and stood.
"I must be leaving, Paulorin. I shall let you return to your frugal work." He glanced on last time at the grey drapes, hiding beneath them bulky and ornate shapes. The old High Lord grinned and made his exit, accompained by his large retinue.
Gan remained seated, a cold sweat dripping down his brow. The old man's story had done nothing to calm the nerves of a paranoiac like Gan.
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Post by MagusKariusPrelune on Oct 17, 2004 6:18:46 GMT -5
Originally posted by inquisitornexus
Paulorin shuddered fearfully, the paranoia creeping over him and making him completely forget the uncomfortable rags he wore. The Illuminéd Hand. Just the name alone was beginning to scare the corpulent cardinal. Why had Byzantine told him? Why had the Ecclesiarch brought up such a mysterious organization? Also, what did he mean when he said, “the only way to find them is to be found by them”? Why would they want Gan? The cardinal, overwhelmed by the paranoia, wiped the sweat from his brow and began to pace. This was no good, no good at all. Just then, Angelica stepped into the room, her white power armor gleaming, “your holiness, all is prepared for your trip to Ophelia VII, Prioress Frankfurt wishes to meet with you privately, and the Cardinals Palatine await your arrival, especially one Cardinal Sanchez.” Gan grinned, his mind was suddenly set at ease. “Well then, let’s be off,” he said, heading to his master bedroom to shed his rags for more comfortable clothes, and mentally preparing himself for the ordeals ahead….
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Post by MagusKariusPrelune on Oct 17, 2004 6:22:21 GMT -5
Originally posted by Judge Bob
++ Unknown location, Terra ++
Six figures sat in a semicircle in the darkness, wearing aprons marked with the Omega, and black masks over their faces. At their centre, a figure in a more elaborate apron, bearing a stylished gold Omega symbol enclosed in a laurel wreath, topped by a crown.
"My brothers, our interests are threatened in the Jarel system. The governor plans to institute fair-trade policy to grant his population protected salaries and decreased working hours. Many of our brothers stand to lose significant fortunes from this change. He must be eliminated. The Arbites will, most likely, become suspicious if we call upon them to aid us. This matter must be solved in the most time-honoured and secret way possible. We trust the six uninitiated may be swayed, and honour satisified."
The robed figures nodded, then prostrated themselves at the central figure's feet.
"For the Order, Brother One. For Secrecy, For Progress, For Power. We Serve the Order."
The figures dissipated, and Brother One walked over to another masked figure, wearing an apron. It was Archdeacon Sandlin. One began to speak.
"The Inner Circle has been advised. Our latest plan is afoot. However, Brother Ninety-Seven, there is something we must ask of you. We need control of the Synod, and though two initiated already sit on it, we need a third to make our control complete. We understand there is one named Gan, a weak link, who we hope to remove. We have the power and connections to grant your appointment, and you shall take his seat on the Synod, Brother Ninety-Seven. We trust we can rely on your total confidence and co-operation in this role, Archdeacon. Or, should I say... Cardinal?"
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Post by MagusKariusPrelune on Oct 17, 2004 6:24:13 GMT -5
Originally posted by inquisitornexus
Ophelia VII. For over three thousand years the 3rd richest planet in the galaxy had been a second home to the Adeptus Ministorum, a world of holy politics and intrigue. The palaces of the Ecclesiarchy cover 90,000 square miles and nearly reach the clouds themselves, and the white cities are enough to make an unbeliever break down into tears. Such is the might of the God-Emperor, the power of His servants and but a show of His power through them. Such is the might of Man and Faith. The Convent Sanctorum of the Adepta Sororitas sits on the great council, alongside the Cardinals Palatine of the Holy Synod, long since moved here by the power of Ecclesiarch Benedin IV, back in the Age of Apostasy and the days before Vandire. Days long gone, but never forgotten and always feared by men. Cardinal Paulorin Gan, however, was not one of these men. The chubby old man, dressed in white robes and bedecked with jewelry as usual, feared many things, but the Reign of Blood was suspiciously not one of them. The member of the Holy Synod had touched down on Ophelia VII late Monday night, arriving to speak with his fellow clergymen and sisters of the Orders. The Order Vampiris was an ally worth gaining the favor of, he had decided, and to further his own power as well he had decided to bring to the Church’s attention the growing threat of the vampire menace and the need to destroy the disgusting species. The Order Vampiris could be used as a weapon, and the Ministorum need only guide it, whether subtle or not, to prevent the Imperium from being overrun by the bloodsucking vermin that were the nosferatu; legends come to life.
Cardinal Gan was not only here for that, of course, the man was overly ambitious and had many plans of his own, Vampiris the start of something big. Although normally he felt at ease on the Ministorum world, ever since the Ecclesiarch Gregor Byzantine IV told him of the Illuminéd Hand, his paranoia had grown twofold. He did not know why the High Lord told him, he did not know what the ‘Hand was exactly, and he did not know how powerful or influential this secret society was. A few of these questions, he decided, he would rather not know. Due to this fear and suspicion, the big bald man had brought along his full retinue: seventeen sisters of battle, four scribes to take down his every word as if it was gospel, and twelve novice bishops. Thirty three in all, all faithful followers of the Ministorum’s preachings and more importantly: Gan. Although he had his own estate at the palace, where he was currently, he preferred the privacy of Terra and dearly wished to be rid of the more annoying acolytes. Then again, he thought, no one would try and do something to him in plain sight of so many people. Taking his mind off the issue to prevent the paranoia creeping over him, he thought of the days to come. Today he would bring up the issue of a militant arm for the Order Vampiris, and suggest that the Most Holy and Favored Ecclesiarchy provide such an arm, much like the Sororitas for Hereticus. Would they deny him? Would they deny aides to the Inquisition, specialized witch finders trained by the Order to combat the vampire menace? He hoped not, he was taking a gamble for power and fame, a gamble he would prefer to win….
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Post by MagusKariusPrelune on Oct 17, 2004 6:26:29 GMT -5
Originally posted by Judge Bob
++ Estate of the Cardinal Tertius Sanctus, Ophelia VII ++
Gan read his mail over breakfast. It contained little of import, other than a message marked 'Private' from the Chief Justice. The letter made Gan uneasy.
"Paulorin, I have been made aware of the plans to create a force of Vampire Hunters, and I must inform you that the Council of Justice opposes your creation of a permanent standing force from the ranks of the Ministorum. It is in direct breach of the Judicial Order of the Decree Passive (0001288/M36) and as such, I cannot allow it to be formulated."
The message continue for some four pages, citing legal authority after legal authority. It ended with a portenteous climax:
"I would advise you to seek the service of the Inquisition and the Orders Sororita to do this duty, worthy as it is."
Gan put down the letter. So, he wouldn't be able to form an armed body of men without incurring the wrath of the Justice Department. He had suspected as much. Hmm.... could he make use of the Sister Orders to do this job? He suspected so...
Two hours later....
Gan was asleep, snoring, his many chins wobbling as he slept. He was awoken by Angelica, who entered with a gaunt, tall and haughty-looking man of aristocratic bearing - except that he wore a robe of an Archdeacon, and a wooden Aquila round his neck.
"I am Archdeacon Sandlin, Cardinal. I have come here to assist you with your duties, sent by Gregor Byzatine himself."
Gan looked curious. He was pleased that at last, he had been given the Archdeacon he requested. However, there was much he had to learn about Sandlin.
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Post by MagusKariusPrelune on Oct 17, 2004 6:28:11 GMT -5
Originally posted by inquisitornexus
++Inner Sanctum of the Synod Ministra, Ophelia VII++
Cardinal Paulorin Gan would never forget the inner sanctums and courtrooms of the Adeptus Ministorum on Ophelia VII. The white, marble palace’s most important chamber was a magnificent site, a massive room that followed two dozen cathedrals of praying men and glorious choirs. Not quite cathedrals, actually, but enormous rooms filled with pews and pillars, the choirs positioned by the entrances of each, singing praises to the Emperor in a coordinated fashion, each choir one verse behind the other to create a beautiful cacophony of praise and worship. After passing through all twenty four, identical praying areas, there was a final set of doors, huge and imposing on all those who would stand before them. An entire order of sisters guarded the doors and the courtroom within, hundreds of them just filling up the room, standing at attention and there more for show than actually duty. The aristocratic Sandlin seemed to comprehend the beauty of it all as well, but kept to himself throughout the ordeal, keeping his emotions in check and preparing to act as the Terran cardinal’s advisor. As several of the Sisters of the Benevolent Guardian opened the doors, Gan beheld an extraordinary sight. A room-probably the biggest in all of the palaces-all white marble and dotted with Romanesque style pillars, giving the illusion of a temple of old. From a distance the old man could see figures perched high on daises, and the spaces between ornate pillars were home to throne-like chairs for other figures of importance.
Paulorin Gan, Archdeacon Sandlin, and Sister Angelica strode confidently down the centre aisle, the peoples of note rising to attention as a voice boomed out from afar, “Brother Gan….welcome him.” Trumpets began to sound, and Gan soon found himself at the feet of the raised daises, two of the five cardinals palatine seated off to the left with the cardinals astral and the convent leaders of the Sororitas to the right. Even the daises they were seated at seemed to glow with white holiness, as Gan noticed. He took careful note that Frankfurt was near the first row of religious leaders, and that Cardinal Sanchez, staring down at his political brother from his high perch, gleefully smiled as Gan got down on one knee. “My brothers and sisters,” said Gan quietly, his voice resounding like a thunderous cry in the magnificent halls, domed roof displaying a colorful battle between the Emperor and the Serpent Horus. With the way the courtroom was designed, a man could whisper and his voice perhaps be heard outside by the Sisters of the Benevolent Guardian. “I have come in Faith,” Gan started, beginning the initial prayer and rites. “Faith is our shield.” The congregation replied. “I have come Pure.” “Purity is absolution.” The conclave rang out again, all on their knees and their arms crossed across their chest in the sign of the aquilla. “I have come faultless and whole.” Gan continued, and the conclave relayed, “To be faultless is to be whole, to be whole is to be one with the Emperor.” The rites continued for nearly an hour when they were concluded by, “The Emperor protects us, the Faithful, now and forever more. Everlasting is His Will.” Then, and only then, did the inner sanctum go from church to courtroom…..
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Post by MagusKariusPrelune on Oct 17, 2004 6:29:21 GMT -5
Originally posted by Judge Bob
++ Hab-Block 92B, Hive Tertius, America-Continetalis, Holy Terra ++
Joe and Kelly sat intently looking through lists of dates and location. Kelly had had to bribe thirty Administratum clerks, five Ministorum book-keepers and ten hive curfew officers to obtain the information they were looking at. It was a roster of the recorded public movements of the High Lords over the last week. Generally, this information was kept secret, but since the events had already occurred, security was not as tight as Kelly had expected. She had not been able to obtain rosters of their upcoming activities, obviously. Her skills in bank-hacking had come in handy, too... they provided an excellent source of funds to grease the wheels of information flow.
Joe suddenly exclaimed. "Ah... look here... the only logged personal visit any of the Lords have made this week was by the Ecclesiarch - it said he journeyed to a private villa on the Ecclesiarchial Continental Mass. I wonder what that could mean?"
Kelly looked pensive. "Well, I can tell you one thing, there's a lot of censored information here. A number of the Lords have over ten hours of unaccounted visits this week alone. The Ecclesiarch isn't the only one creeping around."
Joe gasped. "You're kidding... pass me that!"
He looked through the logs frantically, like a hungry man tearing into a ration pack.
"Emperor's Holy Bones! We're onto something, Kelly..."
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Post by MagusKariusPrelune on Oct 17, 2004 6:30:28 GMT -5
Originally posted by inquisitornexus
++Inner Sanctum of the Synod Ministra, Ophelia VII++
Paulorin Gan rose to his feet steadily, aided by Angelica and Sandlin to his left and right. The Prioress of the Ebon Chalice, one of the most politically powerful Sisterhoods in the Imperium, stood up and made the sign of the aquilla across her chest. Like her fellow Prioresses, she was suited in black power armor, her hair dyed a silver-white. Following her, the convent leaders of the Orders Dialogus, Famulous, and Hospitaller stood at attention, each of the elderly women dressed in white gowns and silk veils. Then, almost in unison, the Cardinals Astral got on their feet, Sanchez and his fellow cardinal, Leomarté, doing likewise. The sound of hundreds of Cardinals Astral getting up echoed noisily throughout the great hall; some of the older denizens even covering their ears. Gan winced, and then looked up meekly. Despite the fact that technically, he outranked each and every cardinal before him save Sanchez and Leomarté, he could not help but feel overpowered and small…but a boy before so many important figures. Swallowing back his fear, Gan looked up and spoke, “my brothers and sisters, too long has it been since I have visited these most holy halls. Too long has it been since I have prayed piously with my pure and absolute siblings. You must forgive my laxity, my sweet sisters and benevolent brothers, but now I have returned.” Gan paused and cleared his throat, but Prioress Bennette of the Ebon Chalice took this as opportunity to intervene and prevent further groveling.
“We understand your concern, Brother Gan, now if I may ask….what brings you back here other than the chance to ‘reunite’?” she spoke the last phrase almost mockingly, recalling the days when Gan, as but an archbishop, ran errands for his mentors in the Synod to Ophelia VII. The old man puffed, attempting to contain the red growing in his cheeks, then replied, “I will be frank with you, holy ones. I will be honest and true to the facts…..there is a growing menace that threatens to destroy His Most Holy Institution and Imperium, and it must be stopped,” he inhaled and then finished with one word, “nosferatu.” The congregation erupted into discord and hushed mutters of blasphemy and heresy, but Bennette said nothing. She simply drew forth a tiny wooden mallet from beneath her dais, and slammed it against the marble. The domed sanctum seemed to shake with the roar of such noise, and the conclave of holy men and women quickly went silent again. “We have heard such claims, cardinal, we have heard of the order called ‘Vampiris’. The Inquisition seems to be taking precautions of its own to deal with such a ‘threat’, why should the Ministorum?” The congregation seemed to murmur its agreement quietly, but then Gan rebutted, “these vampires are much more than simple witches and,” he looked at the crowd, a glint of terror in his eyes, “daemons,” he concluded. “They are abominations who wish for more than simply death and destruction. They are creatures born of hatred itself and who seem to have a purpose. They think, the Dark Ones have given their minions agendas…and agendas we must stop.”<br>
Bennette laughed an eerie cackle, and her jade green eyes met Gan’s brown, “I have heard this time and time again from those within Vampiris. What proof do you have? What information do you hold that they do not?” Gan swallowed hard again, and slid his left hand into a hidden pocket in his gown. The hand came out with a compact holo-slate, a fancy ‘V’ on the front. “The Order Vampiris has given me this, to show you all. Proof that my words hold truth.” The Prioress just laughed again, “I had a feeling you were still an errand boy,” she said cruelly, “but if you have this….then let us see.” The chubby cardinal set the ‘slate on the marble floors, and the hologram image relayed itself into the centre of the sanctum. The image was of vampires, fangs gleaming and armies of them marching to war. Many held aloft massive banners, displaying the eight-pointed star of Chaos beneath…..the congregation gasped and some even fainted….the imperial eagle. Gan contained a smile, and said, “This is why. They must be stopped, and Vampiris alone cannot do it.” A look of pain and anger crossed Bennettee’s features, “turn it off,” she snarled, teeth clenched, and the Terran Cardinal obediently did so. Gan smirked as he knew that the politics and intrigue would soon begin in earnest, and then Prioress Bennette of the Ebon Chalice spoke….
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Post by MagusKariusPrelune on Oct 17, 2004 6:31:34 GMT -5
Originally posted by inquisitornexus
++Inner Sanctum of the Synod Ministra, Ophelia VII++
“The Order Vampiris wants a militant arm.” Convent Leader Margaritte of the Order Hospitaller was waving her hands frantically now, signaling for medics to aid those who had collapsed during the display of blasphemy. “The Order wants a fighting forve to combat the vampire menace, and they want the blessings of the Ministorum,” the Prioress continued, rubbing the bridge of her nose gently. Bennette looked wearily at her peers of lesser orders in the pews and at the others atop the daises with her. “We are at war, cardinal, the Argent Shroud, Sacred Rose, Ebon Chalice, and more…there is little to spare, we are stretched thin.” Gan looked nervously at Prioress Frankfurt, sitting near the front rows with the rest of the congregation, his eyes seeming to beg her to recall a favor of old. The sixty-year old leader of the Order of the White Rose slowly got off her seat and looked up at the Cardinals Astral and the other Prioresses, “I will fight the nosferatu. I pledge the support of the White Rose.” Gan allowed himself a smile, and met the eyes of the cardinals and prioresses above him again. Bennette turned to Margaritte and the others near her, and the women began to murmur in low voices. Paulorin crossed his fingers inwardly, just hoping that the verdict would swing his way.
Archdeacon Sandlin coughed as quietly as he could, then whispered ever so carefully to Gan beside him, “they are making a mutual decision. Bennette and her sisters are deciding if the threat is worthy of the White Rose’s attention, as well as the attention of Famulous, Dialogus, and Hospitaller.” Gan nodded, his chins wobbling. The cardinal suddenly noticed that the congregation had erupted into conversation again and he cringed, predicting what would come next. The Prioress of the Ebon Chalice swiveled back to her original position, and the wooden mallet hit the marble so loud it seemed the ground itself would start shaking. She regained her upright posture, and spoke, “it is done. Vampiris has our support and blessings…..whilst the threat is at large. The Order shall have the White Rose, and aid from Hospitaller. Dialogus and Famulous are being taken into consideration.” Paulorin Gan bowed and then made the aquilla over his chest, “the Emperor protects,” he said reverently. Bennette dipped her head and mimicked the sign of the aquilla, turning and exiting the way she and her fellows had come through doors behind them. Cardinal Paulorin Gan of the Holy Synod let out a sigh of relief, and prepared to make his exit….
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Post by MagusKariusPrelune on Oct 17, 2004 6:34:25 GMT -5
Originally posted by Judge Bob
++ Outer Sanctum of the Synod Ministra, Ophelia VII ++
As the fat Cardinal's party left the massive hall, Sandlin whispered in his ear.
"Your eminence, I bring news..." He was silent.
Gan spluttered. "Well, spit it out, man!"
"I believe I must warn you. The Ecclesiarch had requested me to relay this information to you. So secret is it, and so sensitive, that he ordered all records of the matter destroyed, and I am the only one who knows of this plot. I believe I may be the only one you can trust."
Gan stopped, his heart pounding. He looked from sister to sister... culd they be conspiring against him? Emperor's teeth, they could... many of them were newly assigned to his service. The bloodsucking Canons, Deacons and Bishops who stood in his entourage... what were they after? Gan knew secretly that many of them had designs on his postion.
"All you need to know for now, Cardinal, is this... you have enemies. Powerful enemies. But they are not who you think..."
Again, Gan looked around nervously. Here, on the Cathedral World itself, the centre of the Fiath, the Imperium's Chief Cardinal world... who knows what went on here whilst he sat on the Synod at Terra.
Sandlin continued. "Sanchez... Benette... the Cardinals Astral... they wish you removed."
"How in the Hells do you know this, Sandlin?" Gan was indignant, yet kept his hand over his mouth to keep their talk as private as possible.
"I move in many circles, Cardinal. But believe this, I seek only to help you."
Sandlin looked into the eyes of the rubicund cleric. His face dead pan, gaunt and aristocratic as ever, utterly disguising the vitriole and lies he spoke.
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