The Eisenhorn TrilogyXenos(科幻战争)-第5部分

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even　the　use　of　trained　psykers　to　be　heretical。
If　I　was　in　trouble；　it　would　not　be　the　first　time　an　inquisitor　of　tempered；　moderate　beliefs　had　run　foul　of　either　extreme　in　his　own
organisation。
'This　goes　beyond　simple　faction　intrigue；'　Titus　said　quietly。　'This　isn't　a　hardliner　deciding　to　give　the　moderates　a　going　over。　This
is　particular　to　you。　They　have　something。'
'What？'
'Something　concrete　on　you。'
'How　do　you　know？'
'Because　twenty　days　ago　on　Messina；　I　was　detained　and　questioned　by　Inquisitor　Osma　of　the　Ordo　Malleus。'
I　suddenly　realised　I　was　up　out　of　my　seat。
'You　were　what？'
He　waved　dismissively。　'I'd　just　finished　a　waste…of…time　matter；　and　was　preparing　to　pack　up　and　ship　for　Thracian。　Osma　contacted
me；　polite　and　friendly；　and　asked　if　he　could　meet　with　me。　I　went　to　see　him。　It　was　all　very　civil。　He　made　no　effort　to　restrain　me…
but　I　don't　think　I　could　have　left　before　he　had　finished。　He　was　guarded；　but　he　made　it　clear　that　if　I　decided　to　walk　out…　his
people　would　stop　me。'
'That's　outrageous！'

'No；　that's　Osma。　You've　met　him　surely？　One　of　Orsini's。　Bezier's　right…hand　man。　Thorian　to　the　marrow。　He　makes　a　point　of
getting　what　he's　after。'
'And　what　did　he　get？'
'From　me？'　Endor　laughed。　'Not　a　thing；　except　for　a　glowing　character　reference！　He　allowed　me　to　leave　after　an　hour。　The　bastard
even　suggested　we　might　meet　and　dine　together；　socially；　during　the　Novena。'
'Osma　is　a　skilled　operator。　Slippery。　So…　that　begs　the　question；　what　did　he　want？'
'He　wanted　you。　He　was　interested　in　our　friendship　and　our　history。　He　asked　me　about　you；　like　he　wanted　me　to　let　something
personal　and　damning　slip。　He　didn't　give　away　much　of　anything；　but　it　was　clear　he　had　dirt。　Some　report　had　been　filed　that
compromised　you；　directly　or　indirectly。　By　the　end　of　it；　I　knew　that　the　rumours　I　had　been　hearing　were　just　the　surface　ripples　of　a
secret　inquiry。　I　knew　then　that　I　had　to　warn　you…　without　anyone　knowing　we'd　spoken。'
'It's　all　lies；'　I　told　him。
'What　is？'
'I　don't　know。　Whatever　they　think。　Whatever　they　fear。　I've　done　nothing　that　deserves　the　attention　of　the　Ordo　Malleus。'
'I　believe　you；　Gregor；'　Endor　said；　in　a　way　that　suggested　to　me　he　undoubtedly　did　not。
WE　TOOK　FRESH　drinks　onto　the　sea　terrace。　He　looked　out　at　the　kalaedo…scopic　swirls　of　luminous　plankton　and　said；　'They've　only
just　begun。'
I　nodded　and　looked　down　at　the　drink　cradled　in　my　hands。
'On　Lethe…　Tantalid　came　after　me。　I　supposed　at　the　time　it　was　old　scores；　but　from　what　you've　said　tonight；　I　doubt　that　now。'
'Be　careful；'　he　murmured。　'Look；　Gregor；　I　should　go。　This　should　have　been　a　better　reunion　of　old　friends。'
'I　want　to　thank　you　for　the　chance　you　took。　The　effort　you　made　to　bring　this　to　me。'
'You'd　do　the　same。'
'I　would。　One　last　thing…　how　did　you　get　in？'
He　looked　round　at　me　sharply。
'What？'
'In　here？　Tonight？'
'I　used　a　code　scrambler　on　the　door。'
'You　diverted　the　alarms。'
'I'm　not　a　novice；　Gregor。　My　scrambler　was　set　to　trigger　a　nulling　cascade　effect　through　the　system。'
'That's　quite　a　piece　of　kit。　May　I　see　it？'
He　took　a　small　black　pad　from　his　hip…pocket　and　passed　it　to　me。
'An　Amplox　model；'　I　noted。　'Quite　advanced。'
'I　only　use　the　best。'
'Me　too。　I've　employed　these　before。　They　seem…　just　in　my　experience…　to　work　best　after　a　few　tests。'
'How　so？'
'A　dry　run　or　two；　I　mean。　To　assess　the　system　you're　trying　to　penetrate。　A　few　soft　passes　to　gauge　the　security　and　let　the　scrambler
assimilate　and　learn　what　it's　up　against。'
'Yeah；　I've　done　that；　when　I've　had　the　luxury　of　time。　These　suckers　learn　fast。　Still；　they　do　the　job　on　the　spot　when　time　is　tight。'
'Like　tonight？'　I　handed　the　device　back　to　him。
'Yes…　what　do　you　mean？'
'It　got　you　in　tonight　from　cold？　No　test　runs　necessary？'
'No；　of　course　not。　This　visit　was　spur　of　the　moment。　And　until　that　pretty　bitch　of　yours　kicked　me　in　the　face；　I　had　thought　myself
very　lucky　to　have　gotten　so　far。'
'So　you　haven't　been　here　before？　You　haven't　been　in　before？'
'No；'　he　said　sharply。　Either　I　had　offended　him　or…
'Go　if　you　have　to；'　I　said。
'Goodnight；　Gregor。'
'Goodnight；　Titus。　I'd　offer　to　show　you　out；　but　I　think　you　know　the　way　well　enough。'
He　grinned；　raised　his　glass　and　finished　it　in　a　single　swig。
'Raise　'em　and　sink　'em　and　let's　have　another！'
'I　hope　so；'　I　replied。
THE　PALACE　OF　the　Inquisition　on　Thracian　Primaris　is　high　in　the　cloud　tiers　of　Hive　Forty…Four。　The　size　of　a　small　city　itself；　it　is
the　chief　office　of　the　Inquisition　in　the　Helican　subsector；　maintaining　a　permanent　staff　of　sixty　thousand。　I　make　no　excuses　for　its
black　staetite　facings；　its　darkened　windows；　its　protective　spines　of　iron　spikes。　Critics　of　the　Inquisition　may　regard　its　architecture
as　almost　comically　overdone；　playing　directly　to　the　general　public's　worst　fears　about　the　nature　of　the　Inquisition　with　its　deliberate；
black　menace。　That；　I　would　say；　is　precisely　the　point。　Fear　keeps　the　populace　in　line；　fear　of　an　institution　so　terrible　it　will　not
hesitate　to　punish　them　for　transgressions。

At　the　start　of　the　next　day　cycle；　I　went　to　the　Palace；　escorted　by　Aemos；　von　Baigg　and　Thula　Surskova。　Ironically；　I　felt　vulnerable
with　only　three　companions　at　my　side。　I　had　grown　too　used　to　a　large　retinue　these　last　few　decades。　I　had　to　remind　myself　that
there　had　been　a　time　when　my　entire　retinue　would　have　numbered　three　such　people。
The　Palace　of　me　Inquisition　is　not　a　place　for　casual　or　accidental　meetings。　Inside；　it　is　a　dark　maze　of　shadowy　halls；　void　screens
and　opaquing　fields。　The　staff　and　visitors　move　privately　behind　masking　energy　fields；　their　business　confidential。　On　entry　to　the
echoing　main　hall；　my　party　was　issued　with　a　drone　cyber…skull　that　hovered　at　our　shoulders　and　projected　an　insulating　cone　of
silence　around　us。　We　were　offered　an　astropath　adept　too　to　further　ensure　our　privacy；　but　I　declined。　Surskova；　with　her
untouchable　quality；　was　all　I　needed。
The　hooded　Inquisitorial　guards；　their　burgundy　armour　threaded　with　gold　leaf　and　emblazoned　with　the　seal　of　our　Office；　led　us
across　the　black　marble　floor；　their　double…handed　powerblades　held　upright　before　them。　Glinting　brown　opaquing　fields　swirled　into
being　on　either　side；　forming　a　solid；　buzzing　corridor　of　energy　that　divorced　us　from　our　surroundings。
Alain　von　Baigg　played　with　his　high　collar　distractedly　as　we　walked。　He　was　nervous。　The　oppressive　threat　of　the　palace　affected
even　its　own　servants。
LORD　RORKEN　AWAITED　us　in　his　private　chambers。　A　void　shield　dissipated　to　allow　us　through　the　circular　doorway　and　flickered
back　to　life　once　we　were　inside。　The　guards　did　not　accompany　us。　I　told　my　trio　to　wait　for　me　in　the　austere　vestibule　where　there
were　two　cast　iron　benches　piled　with　white　satin　bolsters。
I　went　in　through　the　inner　door。
I　had　come　wearing　black；　with　a　three…quarter　cloak　of　dark　brown　leather。　My　inquisitorial　crest　was　pinned　at　my　throat。　My
companions　were　all　formally　robed　too。　One　did　not　call　on　Master　of　the　Ordo　Xenos　in　casual　attire。
The　reception　chamber　was　dazzlingly　bright。　The　walls　were　mirrors；　framed　in　ormolu　gilt；　and　the　floor　was　a　polished　cream
marble。　Thousands　of　candles　burned　all　around；　on　stands；　on　forked　candelabras；　or　simply　placed　directly　on　the　floor。　The　mirrors
reflected　their　glare。　It　was　like　standing　in　a　prism　that　was　catching　golden　sunlight。
I　blinked；　and　raised　my　hand　to　shield　my　eyes。　I　saw　a　hundred　other　men　in　cloaks　do　the　same。　My　reflections。　Multiplied　Gregor
Eisenhorns；　framed　by　twinkling　candles。　I　saw　I　looked　edgy。
That　would　not　do。
'None　may　escape　the　penetrating　glare　of　the　Inquisition's　light；'　said　a　voice。
'For　to　do　so　means　perforce　they　embrace　the　outer　darkness；'　I　finished。
Rorken　strode　towards　me。　'You　know　your　Catuldynas；　Eisenhorn。'
'His　apopthegms　please　me。　I　have　never　much　liked　his　later　allegories。'
'Too　dry？'
'Too　arch。　Too　mannered。　For　my　taste；　Sathescine　has　a　superior　voice。　Less…　bombastic。'
Rorken　smiled　and　took　my　hand。　'So　you　rate　poetic　beauty　over　content？'
'Beauty　is　truth；　and　tram　beauty。'
He　raised　an　eyebrow。　'What　is　that？'
'A　pre…Imperial　fragment　I　once　read。　Anonymous。　As　to　your　first　question；　I　would　read　Sathescine　over　Catuldynas　for　pleasure；
and　insist　that　my　neophytes　read　Catuldynas　repeatedly　until　they　can　quote　it　as　well　as　I'
Rorken　nodded。　He　was　a　compact　man；　his　head　shaved　but　for　a　short　goatee；　and　he　wore　crimson　robes　over　black　clothes　and
gloves。　It　was　impossible　to　guess　his　age；　but　he　must　have　been　at　least　three　hundred　years　old；　for　he　had　held　his　high　office　for　a
century　and　a　half。　Thanks　to　augmentation　and　juvenatus　processes；　he　looked　like　a　man　in　his　late　forties。
'Can　I　offer　you　refreshment？'　he　asked。
'Thank　you；　no；　sir。　The　nunciature　has　organised　a　busy　schedule　for　me　through　the　Novena；　so　I　would　be　grateful　if　we　could　deal
with　things　directly。'
'The　Ministorum's　nuncios　have　set　busy　schedules　for　us　all。　The　Lord　Commander　has　charged　them　with　arranging　as　much　pomp
as　possible　for　this　celebration。　And　the　Gregor　Eisenhorn　I　know　won't　be　sticking　to　their　appointments　if　he　can　help　it。'
I　made　no　reply。　That　was　a　telling　remark。
I　became　wary。　Rorken　and　I　had　a　good　working　relationship；　and　I　felt　he　had　trusted　me　ever　since　the　affair　with　the　Necroteuch
ninety…eight　years　before。　Since　then　he　had　been　pleased　to　lead　me；　guide　me；　and　oversee　my　cases　personally。　But　one　did　not
become　anything　like　friends　with　the　Master　of　the　Ordo　Xenos　Helican。
'Have　a　seat。　You　can　spare　me　a　little　time；　I　think。'
We　sat　on　high…backed　chairs　either　side　of　a　low　table；　and　he　gave　me　chilled　water　imported　from　the　chalybeate　springs　of
Gidmos。
'A　restorative　tonic。　I　understand　the　Beldame　tested　you　hard　on　Lethe　Eleven。'
I　slid　a　data…slate　out　of　my　cloak。
'A　preliminary　draft　of　my　full　report；'　I　said；　handing　it　to　him。　He　took　it　and　put　it；　unread；　on　the　table。
'Do　you　know　why　I　have　asked　to　see　you？'
I　paused；　and　took　a　calculated　gamble。
'Because　of　the　stories　that　I　am　unsound。'
He　cocked　his　head　in　interest。　'You've　heard　them？'
'They've　been　brought　to　my　attention。　Recently。'

'Your　reaction？'
'In　all　honesty？　Puzzlement。　I　don't　know　the　matter　of　the　stories　themselves。　I　feel　someone　must　have　a　grudge。'
'Against　you？'
'Against　me　personally。'
He　sipped　his　water。　'Before　we　go　any　further；　I　must　ask　you…　Is　there　any　reason；　any　reason　at　all；　that　you　think　this　story　has
arisen？'
'As　I　said；　a　grudge　is　the—'
'No；'　he　said　quietly。　'You　know　what　I'm　asking　you。'
'I've　done　nothing；'　I　said。
'I'll　take　your　word　for　that。　If　at　a　later　time　I　discover　you're　lying；　or　even　hiding　something　from　me；　I　will…　be　displeased。'
'I　have　done　nothing；'　I　repeated。
He　steepled　his　hands　and　looked　out　across　the　sea　of　candles。　'Here　is　the　way　of　it。　An　inquisitor　…　who；　it　does　not　matter　…　reported
to　me　in　confidence　a　disturbing　encounter。　A　daemonhost　made　a　show　of　sparing　a　man's　life；　because　it　thought　he　was　you。'
I　was　fascinated　and　horrified　at　the　thought。
'I　am　not　able　to　confirm　it；　but　the　daemonhost　has　been　identified　as　Cherubael。'
Now　my　blood　ran　cold。　Cherubael。
'You've　had　no　contact　with　that　entity　since　56…Izar？'
I　shook　my　head。　'No；　sir。　And　that　was　almost　a　century　ago。'
'But　you've　been　looking　for　it　ever　since？'
'I've　made　no　secret　of　that；　sir。　Cherubael　is　the　agency　of　an　invisible　enemy；　one　whose　machinations　involved　even　a　member　of
our　Office。'
'Molitor。'
'Yes；　Konrad　Molitor。　I　have　spent　a　great　deal　of　time　and　effort　trying　to　uncover　the　truth　about　Cherubael　and　its　unseen　master；
but　it　has　been　fruitless。　Ten　decades；　and　only　the　barest　few　hints。'
'The　matter　of　Cherubael's　involvement　in　the　Necroteuch　affair　was　passed　to　the　Ordo　Malleus；　as　you　know。　They　too　have　failed　to
turn　up　a　trace　of　it。'
'Where　was　this　alleged　encounter？'
He　paused。　'Vogel　Passionata。'
'And　it　thought　it　was　sparing　me？'
'The　implication　was　the　daemonhost　had　better　things　in　mind　for　you。　There　was　a　strong　suggestion　of…　a　compact　between　you
and　it。'
'Nonsense！'
'I　hope　so—'
'Really；　nonsense；　sir！'
'I　hope　so；　Eisenhorn。　Grandmaster　Orsini　has　no　time　for　radical　elements　in　the　Inquisition。　Even　if　he　wasn't　so　hardline；　I'd　not
stand　for　it。　Ordo　Xenos　Helican　has　no　place　for　those　who　consort　with　Chaos。'
'I　understand。'
'Make　sure　you　do。'　Rorken's　face　was　dark　and　stern　now。　'Your　search　for　this　entity　continues？'
'Even　now　I　have　agents　in　the　field　hunting　for　it。'
'With　any　signs　of　success？'
I　thought　of　the　Glossia…coded　message　I　had　received　the　night　before。　'No；'　I　said；　my　first　and　only　lie　in　the　conversation。
'The　inquisitor　in　question　urged　me　to　take　the　matter　to　the　Ordo　Malleus。　I'll　not　throw　one　of　my　best　men　to　the　mercy　of　Bezier's
dogs。　I　kept　the　matter　internal　to　our　ordo。'
'Then　why　the　stories？'
'That's　what　troubled　me　too。　Word　has　got　out　anyway。　I　thought　it　prudent　to　advise　you　that　the　Ordo　Malleus　might　be　scrutinising
you。'
A　second　warning　in　twelve　hours。
'I'd　like　to　suggest　you　leave　Thracian　and　get　on　with　other　work　until　the　matter　blows　over；'　he　said。　'But　your　presence　is　required
for　the　Apotropaic　Congress。'
PIECES　NOW　FELL　into　place。　The　sheer　scale　of　the　triumph　celebrations；　the　magnitude　of　the　Novena；　were　appropriate　enough；　but
the　number　of　senior　inquisitors　summoned　to　attend　was　heavy　handed　to　say　the　least。　Military　and　Ecclesiarch　luminaries　may　be
ordered　around　to　swell　such　events；　but　inquisitors　are　a　different　breed；　more　aloof；　more…　independent。　It　is　unusual　for　us　to　be
called　together　in　any　great　gathering；　particularly　by　such　incontestable　orders。　I　had　presumed　Orsini　was　throwing　his　weight
around　to　impress　the　Lord　Commander　Helican。
But　that　was　not　the　case。　There　was　to　be　an　Apotropaic　Congress。　That　is　why　we　had　been　called　here。
Apotropaic　studies　are　conducted　all　the　time　by　the　Inquisition；　and　usually　involve　one　or　perhaps　as　many　as　three　inquisitors。　On　a
larger　scale；　they　are　named　Councils；　and　require　a　quorum　of　at　least　eleven　inquisitors。　Larger　than　that；　they　become　a　Congress。
Such　assemblies　are　extremely　rare。　I　knew　for　a　fact　that　my　late　master　Hapshant　had　served　on　the　last　such　Congress　held　in　the
subsector。　That　was　two　hundred　and　seventy…nine　years　in　the　past。

The　purpose　of　these　studies；　even　at　their　smallest　level；　is　the　acute　examination　and　assessment　of　unusually　valuable　captives。
Once　in　the　custody　of　the　Inquisition；　a　rogue　psyker；　a　charismatic　heretic；　an　alien　warlord…　whatever…　undergoes　a　sometimes
lengthy　formal　examination　quite　separate　from　the　dissection　of　his　or　her　actual　crimes。　They　are　often　already　condemned　and　only
waiting　for　sentence　to　be　carried　out。　At　that　stage；　the　Inquisition　wishes　to　expand　its　own　learning；　to　understand　more　precisely
the　nature　of　the　enemies　of　mankind。　The　subjects　are　dissected；　usually　intellectually；　sometimes　psychically　and　occasionally
literally；　in　order　to　discover　their　strengths；　weaknesses；　beliefs　and　drives。　Vital　truths　have　in　this　way　been　discovered　by
Apotropaic　councils；　truths　that　have　armoured　the　servants　of　the　Imperium　for　later　clashes。　To　illustrate；　the　Imperial　Guard's
famous　victory　over　the　Ezzel　meta…breed　was　only　successful　thanks　to　methods　of　detecting　their　presence　discovered　by　the
examination　of　an　Ezzel　scoutform　by　the　Apotropaic　Council　of　Adiemus　Ultima　in　883。M40。
The　size　of　the　inquiry　depends　on　the　number　or　magnitude　of　the　subject。
'Thirty…three　heretic　psykers　of　level　alpha　or　above　were　captured　by　the　Warmaster　at　Dolsene；　during　the　final　major　engagement　of
the　Ophidian　Suppression；'　Rorken　told　me；　showing　me　a　data…slate。　The　security　clearance　on　the　slate　was　so　high　that　even　I　was
impressed。　'Trained；　somehow；　to　control　and　master　the　warp…spawned　filth　they　channel；　they　formed　the　backbone　of　the　Enemy's
high　command　defence；　the　beating　heart　of　the　adversary。'
'How　were　they　taken？　Alive；　I　mean？'　It　was　astonishing。　Untrained　psykers　are　terrifying　enough；　their　minds　always　carrying　the
horrendous　potential　to　open　up　a　gate　into　the　immaterium；　to　let　its　daemons　flood　through　into　our　universe。　But　these…　these
fiends；　they　had　somehow　learnt　…　or　been　trained　…　to　focus　their　warp…spawned　talents；　to　contain　the　daemons　within　themselves　and
use　their　damnable　strenguh。　My　mind　reeled　at　the　threat　they　had　posed；　and　posed　still；　though　they　were　our　prisoners。
Rorken　gestured　to　the　slate　in　my　hands。　'You'll　find　a　summary　of　the　incident　there；　appended　to　the　main　list。　In　brief；　it　was
luck…　luck；　and　the　amazing　courage　of　the　Adeptus　Astartes；　working　in　conjunction　with　Inquisitors　Heldane；　Lyko　and　Voke。'
'Voke…　Commodus　Voke。'
'I　forgot；　you're　old　friends；　aren't　you？　He　was　involved　with　the　Glaw　affair　on　Gudran；　just　before　the　Schism。'
'Old　friends　is　probably　pushing　it。　We　worked　together。　We　generated　a　mutual　respect。　I've　seen　him　infrequently　since　then。　I'm
amazed　the　old　dog　is　still　alive。'
'Alive；　despite　the　prognoses　of　several　generations　of　medicae　experts。　And　still　powerful。　To　achieve　this；　in　his　twilight　years…'
I　nodded。　Even　a　speed…reading　of　the　incident　suggested　an　act　of　near　mythical　valour。　Voke's　service　to　the　Emperor　was；　as　ever；
above　and　beyond　any　reasonable　expectation　of　duty。
'I　know　Heldane　too。　He　was　Voke's　pupil。　So　he's　finally　made　it　to　inquisitor　rank　too？'
'For　sixty　years　now…　Eisenhorn；　you　lead　a　solitary　life；　don't　you？'
'If　you　mean　I　don't　keep　up　with　the　comings　and　goings　of　elections　and　the　businesses　of　other　inquisitors；　sir；　yes。　I　do。　I　focus　on
my　work；　and　the　needs　of　my　staff。'
He　smiled；　as　if　indulging　me。　In　truth；　my　attitude　was　not　uncommon。　As　I　have　said；　we　of　the　Inquisition　are　an　aloof；　independent
kind；　and　have　little　interest　in　the　affairs　of　our　colleagues。　I　saw　another　difference　between　myself　and　Rorken。　Whatever　my
seniority；　I　was　still　an　agent　of　the　field；　a　worker；　an　achiever；　who　might　be　gone　into　the　distant　gulfs　of　the　Halo　Stars　for　months
or　even　years　at　a　time。　His　rank　tied　him　to　his　palace；　and　wrapped　him　in　the　intrigues　and　mechanisms　of　the　Imperial　ruling
classes　in　general　and　the　Inquisition　in　particular。
I　remembered　Commodus　Voke　as　a　poisonous　old　viper；　but　a　determined　ally。　During　the　affair　of　the　Necroteuch；　believing　himself
to　be　on　his　deathbed；　he　had　implored　me　to　stand　reference　for　his　pupil　Heldane。　I　had　promised　him　that；　though　when　Voke　then
proceeded　to　stay　alive；　I　had　never　followed　it　through。　He　had　been　around　to　see　that　Heldane　got　his　rosette。
Heldane…　I　had　never　liked　him　at　all。
I'd　never　met　Lyko；　the　third　member　of　the　glorious　trio；　but　I　knew　him　by　reputation　as　an　inquisitor　whose　star　was　very　much　in
the　ascendant。　Their　spectacular　achievement　on　Dolsene　would　further　all　their　careers　magnificently。
I　read　through　the　list　of　inquisitors　summoned　to　form　the　Council；　a　lis