Chương 173: Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Three

"Congratulations?" Quaani waves off my comment, then brings up a lot of files on his hollow projector, "This is an agreement between House Ortellius and House Issengrund. It requires the signature of the Novator of House Issengrund, meaning you Aldrich, before it can come into effect." Quaani chuckles, "Not that anyone has heard of us. Which did not help negotiations. There is still time to tweak the agreement, but this is what I've negotiated so far."

I query the Machine-Spirit in the projector, acquiring a digital file so I can rapidly parse it using my MIU and other enhancements, rather than read it with my eyes. I frown, "They sold you their twenty three year old daughter for two Runecasters. Aside from the dubious morals of this agreement, a single girl isn't worth handing over near unique arcano-tech for. Runecasters are rarely made even by the Eldar as it is unusual for their vessels to travel in the Warp. I am going to need an explanation."

"I knew you would, that's why we're doing this in private. I have a favour to ask as well."

"Fair enough. I want to know what we're getting out of this that isn't in the agreement. Second, what does this girl, Annette Ortellius, think of the agreement? Last, why do you think it is necessary? I can spend as long as required on this, so don't skimp on the details." Quaani nods, "First, a bit of background. House Ortellius is a Magisterial House, a Navigator dynasty closely related to one of the original Navigator families dating back to the time of the Unification Wars.

They are rivals with another Magisterial House, House Visscher." Interacting with the projector, Quanni brings up images of grand palaces and several coats of arms.

"House Ortellius has holdings in both the Koronus Expanse and the Calixis Sector, so an agreement with them gives us the opportunity to solve our lack of Navigators. That's covered by the introduction letter they will give us as part of the agreement.

"A letter doesn't sound like much, but they would have to at least honour the favour implied within the letter, perhaps as many as twenty navigators, to join our house. In return, House Ortellius would gain the favour of the Inquisition, because it is Inquisition ships that the Runecasters will be installed on." The pictures change to a large dome covered in runes, and a close up of an Eldar void ship hull, covered in small, white antennae.

"Out of the seven we recovered, we're giving one Runecaster to the Inquisition as spoils for the battle, and selling two more. I was generous because you messaged me about your own discussion with them and I wanted to soften the blow of your intimidation play." I wince.

"The supposedly lopsided deal completely cuts off any chance for them to object to how you interacted with them as the Inquisition will receive three navigation devices that make their journeys take, on average, half as long to get anywhere and are twenty percent less likely to get ganked along the way.

"We don't have enough of them for all our ships, but with this deal, they do. The Runecasters are less important for us, but speed is vital for the Inquisition. What the Inquisition doesn't know however, is that we've a fair chance of replicating a Runecaster, thanks to Ylien's education and your technical skills.

It's a gamble, but with a bit of effort, this agreement further encourages the Inquisition to look kindly upon us, gets us an agreement for more navigators, and potentially only costs us only materials and time." I let out a long sigh, "OK, that is impressive Quaani. If Ylien comes through for us and actually performs his role as a liaison, we might even be able to purchase Runecasters, even if we fail to replicate them.

I understand the thrust of your argument and I appreciate you smoothing over our Imperial relations.

"I don't think that is entirely necessary, but considering how much we can gain for potentially minimal cost, this is an excellent agreement you have brokered. Is there anything else I should be aware of about House Ortellius before we move on?" Quaani brings up a slide showing navigator genetic data.

"There is. While I was at Footfall, I made contact with several houses, which is how I picked up Torchbearer. While no others were willing to make an agreement with us at that time, House Mercator, a shrouded house, were quite happy to 'gossip'.

"House Mercator is considered cursed for the mysterious disappearances of vessels that purchase their services. They are known for their espionage and maintain few holdings. No one knows what their history is and the great shame that led to their exile from Terra and subsequently their shrouded status.

"While exchanging information with them is distasteful. By showing a willingness to play along with their game, and offering information of my own, I can be more certain that the rumour they told me is true." Quanni takes a deep breath.

"According to House Mercator, House Ortellius is declining and their House is about to implode. Their genetics have collapsed and their last twenty scions can no longer sire or birth valid offspring.

"Should this rumour be true, and you fix their genetics for them, not only would we acquire a long lasting alliance with an ancient and storied House, but we could lay claim on their holdings and riches as, eventually, most of their Navigators would be related to you, rather than their own novator. I doubt you'd ever press the claim, but that you could is an immensely powerful political lever." I smile, "That's another excellent reason to go through with this deal. You've really thought this through."

"Of course I have! Unlike some, I might add." I chuckle, "What's the catch?"

"House Ortellius' rivals, House Visscher. They have an impressive palace on Terra and associate more with Rogue Traders than other houses. By choosing Ortillus, we are giving up on their contacts and expertise.

"As for why that is important, House Visscher are known for ensuring the news of valuable finds by Rogue Traders arrive in the Calixis Sector before the Rogue Trader does, inciting conflict. There is no proof of their perfidy, but if we work with them, there is much less chance news of our wealth will spread as they would be less willing to lose ships that have their own Navigators on." Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

"Anyone can pass rumours and false information," I shrug.

"Do you think the charts being offered in this agreement are enough to counter the loss of House Visscher's expertise and their piratical contacts?" I say.

"That is too nebulous to calculate. We are being offered Annette's family navigator charts. These are the charts that they've created while steering Inquisitor Hamiz's ships around the Imperium for the last three centuries. We aren't getting House Ortellius' official charts.

"Normally, charts aren't traded at all, so this is a massive favour, one that is only happening because we're paying such a high price and Inquisitor Hamiz has to give something to make it even vaguely acceptable. You were quite clear on your insistence of good manners, after all.

"These charts will go a long way to building our own knowledge base, along with the ones I inherited from Distant Sun, and the Koronus Expanse astrological data we traded with the Eldar for. Most importantly, they tell a story, showing worlds we absolutely do not want to go anywhere near, or are in need of trade to help them recover."

"Another gamble then."

"Yes, but we need navigators and must pick a side. Better to take the opportunity in front of us, than the one two hundred light years away at Footfall."

"The only thing left to talk about then is the girl and the favour you want."

"Right, Annette. She's never left the navigator spire and is a total shut in. I took a small sample of her blood and sent it off for analysis. Without aid, I doubt she will make it to fifty. In theory, that would be long enough for her to birth the required five navigators that House Ortillus requires of its female members, often by five different men.

"That wouldn't be too bad, except these offspring are usually fathered by navigators that survive long enough to retire. By that point they are rather unpleasant to look at. So not only did she have little chance of forming meaningful relationships, she'd have to sleep with a bunch of ugly fuckers and with how poor her health is, it's possible she would not survive the pregnancy.

"Annette has been due to be dropped off at her family chancellery on Solace Encarmine, a pleasure world owned by House Winterscale, for the last nine years to do her duty, but the Inquisitor hasn't had time to visit and her parents don't trust anyone else to see her taken there safely, or so they say. I suspect they are worried about her dying from excessive strain on her fragile body.

"Annette is delighted by the prospect of a union as it would spare her from her distasteful birthing duties, and at least give her a chance at a more normal life, even if she will likely never see her parents again. Some messages might be possible. Her parents, Silas and Fyona, require for the marriage to take place before their ship departs."

"Understandable, if a little rushed. I am not pleased they likely think they are tricking us with a weak bride."

"I think by navigator standards, her parents are saints. They wouldn't even entertain the idea of marriage until I mentioned you had cured me of a lethal mutation, though I did not explain how. They certainly haven't been pressuring Inquisitor Hamiz to drop her off at Solace Encarmine. Both sides are deceiving the other, so I have no issue with it. As for my favour, I want you to foster her, like you did for me.

"Annette is cripplingly shy and has no knowledge on how to care for herself or interact with people who are not her parents or servants. Much of that likely stems from her fairly severe mutations, despite her young age. From my short interaction with them, her parents aren't any better at social interaction. I doubt any of them know how to defend themselves or even get dressed without help."

"Seriously?" I say.

"Well, I could be wrong. I really shouldn't disparage them, but I found our interactions rather frustrating."

"None of that requires my direct intervention. A sister hospitaller as a companion could aid with additional education and cultural adjustment. A young woman would make for a much better companion than an old man like me."

"It would still be similar to handing her off to another servant, though I will arrange for a female companion and caretaker anyway. I don't want something so impersonal though. My concern is that if I am her mentor, it would ruin any chance for Annette and I to have a proper relationship. I want to be a husband, not a teacher, to take her to exciting locations, not feed her with a spoon.

"I am hoping that if you can help her adjust, it will give Annette and I a common root to help build our relationship off of. I think it will make her feel more welcome if it is a family member who helps her adjust and show that we take her inclusion to our house seriously. Aside from just being a nice thing to do, it will make us look better if she is ever questioned by her own house. You've been mopey since your kids joined the Heralds anyway. This will do you some good."

"You have a funny way of asking a favour," I say.

"Still, your concerns and intent speak well of you. Before I agree, I want to meet the girl and spend some time with her parents, and I think you should too. We have another four weeks until the enhancements on Hamiz's infantry are complete.

"I suggest we alternate between our ships for a week at a time so that Annette can settle into her new quarters while her parents are there to help her. As a bonus, you get to spend four weeks with your new in-laws.

"Assuming that there are no great disasters, we will sign the agreement in week three and hold the ceremony immediately. We'll spend the final week doing as many fun family activities as we can manage."

"I can agree to that." Quaani slumps and sinks into the sofa.

"Alright, now I want you to take off your scheming hat and tell me what you really think and feel about this. I know you've had a few short relationships over the years, but nothing has really stuck. I've never asked for details and you haven't offered. I doubt this is the union you were hoping for though.

"There are multiple decades between you and Annette. While she is a shy girl now, once she adjusts to the fleet, she might seek new relationships of her own with those close to her in age and outside her navigator obligations with you. Are you prepared for that, or any other complex relationship issues that may crop up?"

"Way to make things even more awkward, Aldrich."

"It's better to address problems before they happen. This is awkward for me too. Navigator marriages and inter-house ties have always been an abstract issue for me. Something I was aware of and didn't like to contemplate. Now it's right in our faces and from a House stability perspective, this is a risk worth taking. I'd love to say that neither you nor young Annette are required to sacrifice your personal happiness, just so we can get access to the resources we need, but that would be a lie.

"The blunt reality is that without more navigators, we will have fewer void ships, drastically increasing the chance we all die horribly. That's the choice we're making here. I am pleased with my life and wish to enjoy the company of my family, that includes you, for many more years. What do you want, Quaani, and what are you willing to pay for it?" Quaani sighs, "It always comes down to survival doesn't it.

Not living, not the pursuit of happiness, but the raw, primal need to exist and to ensure the continuity of the Human species. Some would argue that any cost is worth it. That's how we get Inquisitors and Space Marines: a civilization built on torture and child soldiers.

"Others would argue that it is better to fade away than to abandon the values and joys that make existence worth the suffering it requires. That's how you get the Eldar. Too prideful to give up. Too weak to change.

"I don't agree with any of that. My vision of the future comes from the past. From you. To strive for a better tomorrow: a toxic allure of hope that drives me to seek the slim path between nightmares and ennui.

"No matter how tempting, or how dry our mouths become from spitting at so-called reality, this marriage should be a happy event. As for possible future scenarios? The one who steers my destiny through the Warp is me. There's a path out there that will bring me happiness. I just have to find it," Quaani taps his forehead, "I even have the eye to make it so."