Horatio looked back at the sound, his gaze falling on the carved wooden door painted brown.
When Louise mentioned Farida's name, it reminded Horatio that he needed to find some time to go back later.
He couldn't imagine how Farida would view him—a man who seemed to have taken advantage of her first time, then disappeared for a day without a word, let alone returned to see her.
His heart began to pound, and Horatio prepared himself for everything from being cursed as a'scumbag' to enduring cold stares, minor injuries, or light injuries that wouldn't impede basic movement… things of that nature.
Thinking of this, he sighed, then rallied his spirits and said, "That's Miss Tei Perlu's station, Commodore Peru's daughter. I temporarily added her workstation to the lounge for her."
"Miss Peru? Has she also joined the military?"
"No, she is Inquisitor Ravenor's Throne Agent, specifically responsible for communication between me and the Inquisitor, and assisting us in our investigation. She's at home now, but she should be here tomorrow."
Louise curiously opened the wooden door and scanned the items inside.
Inside was a single person's desk and chair, not occupying a large area, but still spacious enough for one person.
The lounge bed was also still there, indicating its owner intended it to continue serving its original purpose.
The entire wall behind the right side of the entrance was a whiteboard made of ceramic tiles, already scribbled on with black markers, with some phrases written next to the drawings.
Additionally, there were some photos attached with magnets, connected by different colored lines, just like the deduction boards in the Adeptus Arbites's criminal investigation office.
"Louise," Horatio gently called.
"I need to go out for a bit. I'll be back later to work overtime. You should head home for today."
"I'm fine. Since you're working overtime, as an Executive Officer and Search Officer, I should naturally be here too." Louise slowly approached. "Leave this to me. I'll wait for you to come back."
Horatio gave a wry smile. "Thank you for your hard work. I'll take over when I get back."
"If you have something to do, go quickly."
Horatio gave Louise a quick salute and hurried out.
—
It was already dark outside. When he was still in the hovercar, he noticed that Farida's residence was not brightly lit as usual, and it was eerily quiet.
He parked the vehicle at the docking station, and the Guards saluted him.
Horatio merely returned a hurried military salute and rushed towards the main gate.
Thump, thump, thump!—
He knocked on the main door, and soon, the old butler opened the heavy, carved copper door for him.
"Sir… Farida, she…"
Upon seeing him, the butler's slightly melancholic expression turned to one of surprise and uncertainty, which made Horatio's brows furrow instantly. He sensed that something was amiss.
"What happened to her?" he asked urgently, fearing something terrible had occurred.
"A person claiming to be an Inquisitor from the Saint Hammer Order, accompanied by the Commissar, came here and took her away."
This news suddenly hit Horatio like a bomb, and his entire body stiffened.
Being taken away by an Inquisitor was never a good thing. He knew that very well.
But fortunately, the old butler quickly added the crucial information: "They said they were conscripting Miss for a top-secret mission."
"She hasn't returned yet?!"
The old butler shook his head.
Horatio gritted his teeth, turned around, and left.
As expected of the Saint Hammer Order, who could lead the Grey Knights to brand the Space Wolves Chapter as traitors, causing the absurd 'Month of Shame' incident.
The Inquisition's fanatic stereotype collection under GW's pen.
Horatio was now personally experiencing how disgusting and unbearable the Saint Hammer Order truly was, and he could also feel how much the Space Wolves wished to tear them limb from limb.
His face was flushed with surging blood, and he struggled to suppress the urge to draw his sword and cut something.
Only the old butler was left behind, sighing.
He also didn't know if this family could still hold on.
Horatio strode towards the shuttle, rapidly searching his mind for who to contact in such a situation.
Inquisitor Ravenor was definitely someone to find, but before that…
'Accompanied by the Commissar, they came here and took her away.'
Naval Military Supervisory Committee?
Horatio used this as a starting point and quickly pinpointed an important person who could help—Farida Hood's uncle, Vice Admiral Samuel Hood!
As Vice Admiral Alexander Hood's elder brother, Samuel Hood was an important pioneer of the Hood Family.
Vice Admiral Alexander Hood's daughter, who was his niece.
That Inquisitor from the Demonic Court just took away Vice Admiral Alexander Hood's only daughter, whose fate was unknown. As her uncle, he certainly wouldn't stand by and do nothing.
Horatio immediately located Vice Admiral Samuel Hood's official residence and sped away in his shuttle.
—
"Master, someone is requesting an audience at the door." The butler of Old Hood's residence respectfully knocked on his master's door.
"I said, I'm not seeing anyone today!"
Vice Admiral Samuel impatiently barked, "I am praying to the God-Emperor for my brother's fate! Do not disturb me!"
"But the visitor is a Naval Officer, he…"
Before the old butler could finish, Horatio, who had entered the mansion with his sword, had already forcefully pushed open the door to Vice Admiral Samuel's study and strode inside.
The layout inside was almost identical to Vice Admiral Alexander Hood's study, filled with various books and models he had made himself.
"Your Excellency, Vice Admiral, I am Acting Lieutenant Horatio Cochrane of the Unyielding.
Forgive my intrusion, but I am here for Farida Hood; something has happened to her."
Horatio's expression was serious, and his words were rapid. He went straight to the point during the Vice Admiral's moment of shock, then removed his cap and bowed respectfully to the Vice Admiral. Unlike his rude forced entry, his attitude now was very courteous.
"No need for formalities. I know you. What happened to Farida?"
Vice Admiral Samuel was about to get angry at the impudent fellow who had forced his way in, but then he heard this young man mention his beloved niece. His heart, already immersed in the bad news about his brother, suddenly tightened.
The tall man abruptly stood from his chair, his right hand gripping the edge of the chair back tightly. His mind was in turmoil, fearing yet another piece of bad news.
His niece had been unfortunate since childhood, and now, with the heavy blow of her father's disappearance, her mental state might not be able to cope.
He had originally intended to pray for his brother today and then personally visit tomorrow to comfort his deeply wounded niece.
But now, a young Naval Officer had directly run to him, saying his niece was in trouble.
"An Inquisitor named William Carter from the Saint Hammer Order took her away, accompanied by the Naval Military Supervisory Committee," Horatio said through gritted teeth.
As a newcomer to the Navy, he absolutely couldn't directly confront the Abyss Port Military Supervisory Bureau. Rashly seeking trouble would likely lead to direct arrest by the Commissar.
But if one person couldn't handle it, couldn't he call for help?
Fortunately, the Hood Family still had such a distinguished and highly respected figure, even more prestigious than Vice Admiral Alexander Hood.
"What in the world is going on with all of them?!"
Upon hearing this, the Vice Admiral's eyes went black with rage, and he was so angry that his voice trembled. He even left a shallow handprint on the tulipwood desk, which was priceless on the planetary market.
Although Vice Admiral Samuel was filled with anger, he quickly forced himself to calm down and immediately began to consider how to approach the matter.
Soon, he made up his mind, opened the holographic communication device in his study, and with tightly pursed lips, entered a series of communication codes.
"Old Willie, yes, it's me, Samuel. I heard my niece was taken to your place. Her poor father just had an accident, and then I hear she's been taken by the Commissar. What's going on?"
Although the Vice Admiral's tone carried a hidden anger, evident in his gritted teeth, he still maintained basic respect for his old friend, his old comrade who had guarded him and his battleship for decades.
The Naval Military Supervisory on the other end of the communication was an old man with a face full of wrinkles and eyes as sharp as swords. His immaculately ironed uniform had golden tassels on both shoulders, and one eye was replaced by a dark red bionic eye.
From the insignia on his chest, he was a Crimson-grade Military Prison, equivalent in rank to a Navy Admiral.
"I apologize, old friend. The Inquisitor said he was executing a top-secret mission and requested our Military Supervisory Bureau to cooperate.
He even conscripted the entire Military Supervisory Bureau's mobile forces and a whole battalion of Storm Troopers.
As for Farida, she did not exhibit any suspicious behavior, so she did not receive the poor treatment you are worried about.
On the contrary, she came here to become a glorious Military Prison. Today, I held her swearing-in ceremony.
She is already a probationary Military Prison and has been conscripted by the Inquisitor.
However, for the benefit of the Imperium, I am not at liberty to disclose the specific mission details. The Inquisitor's mission has the highest level of secrecy, and you should know what that means.
To keep you from worrying, I didn't tell you about this. But now that you've asked, I can't hide the parts I am allowed to disclose from you."
The elderly Military Prison sighed deeply, his usually stern expression softening slightly, and his tone subtly conveyed difficulty and comfort for the Vice Admiral.
"But rest assured, I have arranged for a senior, full-grade Red-rank Military Prison to ensure her safety."
"I don't blame you. Serving the Imperium always has its unavoidable moments. But I just want to know if that Inquisitor's name is William Carter!!"
…
The old Military Prison fell silent.
But Samuel Hood, who had worked with him for so many years, knew his old comrade's habits.
When faced with such a question, if he didn't speak, it meant he tacitly agreed.
"I suspect Farida did not join the Military Supervisory Bureau voluntarily. I have reason to suspect she was coerced and threatened.
However, since you are currently executing a top-secret mission, I will not make things difficult for you."
Vice Admiral Samuel's lips were tightly pursed with anger:
"My brother's fate is unknown right now, and she is my only niece. If she is harmed in the slightest, our friendship of so many years will end. I will use my own methods to handle this matter!"
"I assure you, as long as she maintains her loyalty to the God-Emperor and the Imperium, anyone who wishes to harm her will have to get past me first. Even if it means death, I will die before her. Not even an Inquisitor can arbitrarily spill the blood of the Imperium's Childer of Loyalty."
Vice Admiral Samuel Hood let out a long breath. He knew this was the most his old friend could do for him.
"After this matter is over, I want Farida to choose for herself whether to join the Navy or remain in the Military Supervisory Bureau!"
The old Military Prison's cold, stern expression returned, and upon hearing this request, a hint of something meaningful appeared in his sharp eyes.
"No problem, let her choose for herself, Samuel."