V3 Chapter 17: Deception
Inside a training bay aboard the Ark Mechanicus, the hum of a power sword faded to silence.
Duvette looked at the blade in his hand, then at Yvraine across from him. His chest was still tight. Throughout the training session, her blade had come at him as though she genuinely intended to kill him.
"You were trying to kill me just now," Duvette said.
Yvraine looked at him without expression, the Crone Sword hanging at her side.
"Only in the shadow of death can you grow."
Duvette's eye twitched.
He could not easily determine whether this was the Aeldari method of instruction or whether she had simply found a legitimate excuse to cut at him.
"Let's continue another time," Duvette said, waving a hand. "I think I've learned enough for today."
Yvraine did not speak further. She turned the Crone Sword in an elegant arc, sheathed it, then turned and walked into the shadow on the far side of the training bay, as though everything that had just happened was an unremarkable exercise.
Duvette shrugged, handed the power sword to a nearby servo-skull for return to his quarters, and left the training bay, walking toward Cawl's laboratory area.
The matter at Ultramar's outer systems had reached a natural pause. The Tarentus catastrophe had been contained. Shalaxi Helbane's projection had been driven back. The Ultramarines were willing to listen again.
Next, they would return to Macragge and stand in front of Marneus Calgar one more time.
Duvette still hoped to persuade him this time. If that still failed, Plan B would have to be used.
He moved through the Ark Mechanicus's internal corridors, the activity of servitors and Skitarii all around him, heavy servo-arms moving slowly overhead, a deep vibration coming through the metal walls.
He arrived shortly at an observation chamber.
Through the armourglass, thirteen large shapes lay in individual life-sustaining pods. Their bodies were larger than before: heads, chests, and exposed connection points on the black armour interfaces all trailed with cabling, while several servitors recorded data nearby.
Markus lay in the central surgical pod. His colour was still pale, but his chest was rising and falling steadily.
Duvette watched for a long time.
Then a vast shadow appeared silently at his side.
He turned and looked at Cawl. "How does a frame that size manage to move without making any sound?"
Cawl did not take the bait.
"Seventy-two Terran standard hours have passed since the surgical procedures were completed," Cawl said. "All thirteen subjects have effectively cleared the critical danger window. Successive awakenings are projected to occur within the next twenty-four Terran standard hours."
Duvette gave a short laugh.
"My confidence in you was not misplaced, Cawl." He said. "Your capabilities are considerable."
Cawl's mechaoptic lenses rotated slightly, as though this kind of praise was of limited interest.
"Your assessment provides no direct contribution to the experimental conclusions."
"But it improves your mood."
"Incorrect assumption."
Duvette looked back through the armourglass at the thirteen Shadow Wolves.
"As long as they live."
Cawl was quiet for a moment, then said: "If the negotiation with Calgar does not go through, you are certain you intend to use the plan you described?"
The easy expression on Duvette's face faded.
"It is the only method."
"You understand what that plan will produce if it fails," Cawl said. "You and I will both be condemned as those who brought xenos to assassinate a Primarch. The Ultramarines will not give you time to explain yourself."
"Then it cannot fail." Duvette said. "Once Guilliman wakes, everything becomes explainable."
Cawl looked down at him.
"You trust those two xenos that completely?"
Duvette paused for a moment, then said: "This is the path that fate has set, Cawl."
Cawl was silent for one second.
Then he issued a string of binary that Duvette could not parse in detail, though the general nature of it was clear enough—it was not a blessing.
Cawl did not pursue the topic further. He turned and walked deeper into the laboratory.
Duvette watched his back, and the expression on his face returned to something settled.
Nothing could stop what he intended to do.
Not even Calgar.
The Ark Mechanicus moved slowly into the Macragge orbital dockyards.
Through the viewport, Duvette looked again at this world that belonged to the Ultramarines. The vast orbital infrastructure hung in the sky above the planet. Transports and escorts moved between the docking stations, everything carrying the particular sense of order that was specific to Ultramar.
When the docking hatch opened, Duvette and Cawl stepped onto the dock platform.
Chief Librarian Tigurius was already there waiting.
He walked to Duvette and stopped in front of him. The inscriptions on the cobalt-blue power armour caught the light faintly.
"I have reported everything that occurred on Tarentus to Lord Calgar," Tigurius said. "He is now willing to hear your request again."
His gaze rested on Duvette's face.
"I hope this time you have organised your words properly."
Duvette saluted. "Thank you for your assistance, Chief Librarian."
Tigurius said nothing further and turned to indicate they should follow.
This time, only Duvette and Cawl accompanied him. Yvraine and Sylandri remained aboard the Ark Mechanicus—at least visibly so.
They entered the council chamber again.
Calgar was in full power armour, standing at the large tactical table, reviewing the full strategic picture. A number of Ultramarines officers were present, reporting on ongoing matters, and as Duvette and Cawl arrived, every gaze briefly turned toward them.
Calgar looked at them once.
"Non-essential personnel, please leave."
After the order, the Ultramarine officers and Chapter serfs filed out. When the chamber was clear, only the Honour Guard, a handful of Ultramarines, and Tigurius remained.
The doors closed. Calgar looked at Duvette and Cawl.
A silence held for a moment.
"I have been fully briefed on what occurred on Tarentus," Calgar said. "The Ultramarines will remember what you did there."
He paused, and his voice shifted into something heavier.
"But that does not mean I will permit xenos anywhere near the sanctuary where our father sleeps."
"Under no circumstances." Calgar emphasised it again. His tone made clear that this position would not be moved by any argument.
Duvette and Cawl glanced at each other.
As expected.
Duvette stepped forward.
"Lord Calgar, I have never said the xenos would be approaching Guilliman."
At those words, Tigurius, standing to the side, narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Duvette.
But he did not speak.
Calgar studied Duvette with an evaluating gaze.
"Then what is the source of power you described previously—the one that does not belong to us?"
Duvette looked toward Cawl.
"The operator of that power is also with the Archmagos," Duvette said. "You need only permit Cawl and me to enter the sanctuary."
Calgar did not answer immediately.
Permitting xenos into the sanctuary was an entirely different matter from permitting Cawl to enter the sanctuary with an apparatus. Even if he maintained his vigilance about the nature of this so-called power, the statement at least made the entire matter discussable.
Cawl stepped forward at the right moment.
"The armour of fate is ready," he said. "If access to the sanctuary is permitted, I can stabilise the condition of Primarch Roboute Guilliman's wounds."
Calgar looked at both of them for a long time.
Then he spoke, slowly.
"I will permit you to enter the sanctuary."
Duvette let out an internal breath. His face showed nothing.
Calgar continued. "But I and the Honour Guard must be present throughout. Your every action will be under supervision."
He stepped forward, his armoured frame bringing a weight of presence.
"If Cawl's actions cross our line. If there is any intent to harm our father. Every person here will stop you without hesitation."
Duvette allowed himself a slight smile.
"Thank you for your trust, Lord Calgar."
"This is not trust," Calgar said. "This is one opportunity."
"Three days from now, then," Duvette said.
This time, Calgar did not object.
"Three days," he said. "Go and prepare. The fate of the Primarch rests on this. If it fails, you and Cawl will bear every consequence."
Duvette gave a nod and said nothing more.
He and Cawl turned and left the council chamber.
As the doors closed behind them, Tigurius did not immediately return to the hall. He stood outside the door and fixed his gaze on Duvette's face.
"What are you actually planning?" Tigurius asked. "Why the concealment?"
Duvette stopped and looked at the Chief Librarian.
A faint smile returned to his face.
"Did you not say previously that in your visions they do play a critical role?"
Tigurius looked at him in silence.
Duvette continued: "Then I hope you will be there to witness it."
The corridor went quiet.
After a moment, Tigurius spoke.
"If anything goes wrong, I will personally correct it."
His voice was entirely calm. There was no room in it at all.
Duvette understood what that meant. He gave a slight bow.
"I understand."
Then he continued walking with Cawl down the corridor.