Herald of the Stars: Chapter Two Hundred and Ninety-One

I am away for the next three days and will not be replying to comments or messages during this time. Chapter releases will continue as normal.

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I clap my hand once, “That’s enough, Raphael, Tanthus.”

Tanthus and Raphael glare at each other, though they remain silent.

“JK-404,” I say, “I want a word with you and Brigid after this meeting to clear up potential misunderstandings regarding the Barghest revitalization project.”

“That’s fine. I’ve wanted to show off my research for months. Few have the means to appreciate it quite like you do,” says JK-404.

I say, “Like Riordan, I will restrain my reaction until I have all the pieces at hand. I’ve jumped to enough conclusions on this issue already and it did me no favours.”

Alpia bursts into the room, her heavy presence pressing down on all of us ever so slightly. Everyone in the room, other than me, tenses up. Brigid follows behind Alpia at a more sedate pace.

“Sorry I was almost late,” Alpia plonks a bean bag down on the floor, “I checked the security feed half way here and saw that there were no chairs big enough for me. I had to go back home and grab a big cushion. No way I’m going to sit on the floor for hours.”

I point at the middle table, “That’s fine Alpia. Go make a space for yourself. Everyone else, take a seat.”

I follow my own instructions and take the central seat. Alpia sits on my left and Brigid my right.

Once everyone is settled, I say, “Thank you all for coming today. I am going to start with introductions. On my left is heiress Alpia Issengrund. She’s strong enough to rip a tank in half with her bare hands. That means no flirting, Calligos.”

“Dad! That’s a terrible introduction!”

Calligos points to himself, mock confusion on his face. “Do you mean me? Trader Issengrund. I wouldn’t dare!”

JK-404, Riordan, and Raphael laugh. Everyone else just looks unsure how to react.

“To my right is the High Pursar of Stellar Fleet SOL, Brigid Issengrund. Brigid decides our energy budget and allocates internal resources. If she leaves you as breathless as she does me, I suggest you check you filled in your last requisition order correctly, followed by the Environmental Sustainer.”

Brigid pinches me with a mechadendrite and huffs, though a small smile plays across her lips.

My second attempt at humour gets a better response as people finally twig that I am trying to keep the meeting interesting. I go through each person here, saying a single line about what they do. Once I am through with the introductions, everyone looks a bit more relaxed.

“I invited you all here today to discuss the future of Footfall. We are at a unique point in time where we must question the purpose of the station, its founding principles, security, and ownership.

“Heiress Alpia, please provide a summary of the situation. I want to hear three reasonable solutions and their political, social, and economic consequences.”

Alpia says, “This is because I slammed the door, forgot to control my aura, and was almost late, isn’t it.”

“This is practice, Alpia.”

“Uh huh. Since you are springing this on me, you can wait thirty seconds while I gather my thoughts.”

I nod, “Acceptable.”

Alpia folds her arms and drums her fingers against her left bicep, “Footfall was founded by Rogue Trader Parsimus Dewain in 410.M41. Its founding laws, called Dewain’s Compact, are all based around a single premise: ‘to forement and to foster an environment upon Footfall and its surrounding areas that is agreeable to the pursuit of any and all business practices for the purposes of bringing profit to the ruling parties thereof.’

“This ‘anything goes’ attitude is baked into its leadership with the most senior Rogue Trader present on the station being nominally in charge of the station during their visit and their authority vanishing like early morning mist the moment they undock from the station. In practice, it is ruled by the Liege of Footfall, currently Tanthus Moross.

“The Liege of Footfall has little power as any and all changes they might make to improve the situation can be undone by the visit of a Rogue Trader, or the mere perception by Footfall’s inhabitants that their statutes inhibit trade. The Narco Tribes, Black Brotherhood, and multiple other parties further undermine that power, able to act as they please with the Liege’s force projection restrained to Footfall’s many docks and the Liege’s Court.

“This lacking leadership inevitably leads to poor security, with Footfall reliant on the disparate gangs and passing ships to keep the most important trade station in the Koronus Expanse safe.

“Predictably, this has caused numerous problems that inhibit the flow of trade for which Footfall was founded.

“Waaagh! Gulgrog smashed up the station in 422.M41.

“Footfall was scoured from 499-500 M.41, a year after Trader Dewain’s death, by Tarn Marvelous. He was promptly slain by Rogue Trader Cassilus and became a lesson in not to overstep.

“Some three hundred years later in 794.M41, Footfall was bombarded by Karad Vall, the same cultist leader whom we’ve just seen off.

“Now, in 850.M41, Footfall finds itself ravaged by Daemons, betrayed by the Tutors and Black Brotherhood, and deceived by the corrupt merchant captains who dare take shelter at this degraded collection of rock. 13% of the station’s permanent population remains.

“These are the largest disruptions that have occurred since Footfall’s founding. No doubt they are a mere fraction of the constant jostling for power that occurs.

“We are at a crossroads. The established powerbrokers of Footfall are scattered and weak. Our collective will and might, united under the Stellar Fleet, represents the Astartes, Sororitas, Inquisition, Imperial Navy, an Imperial Saint, and two powerful Rogue Trader houses. By our efforts and the grace of the Imperial Deities we have an opportunity to alter how Footfall functions.”

I cast my mind around the room. Her words have struck home and everyone is listening carefully.

Alpia continues, “The most direct solution is for the Stellar Fleet to replace the current system and restore Trader Dewain’s authority and vision under a single banner. This will provide the highest security. 

“However, this option leaves no space for other parties to stake a claim, especially Rogue Traders, and will be contested. A heavy hand and the threat of conflict will chase the trade we wish to control elsewhere. To our advantage however, strict controls and increased patrols would reduce the quantity of xenos and cultist raiders slipping between Calixis and the Koronus Expanse.

“Second, and the option I favour, is for each party here to take over a section of the station and rule Footfall with a council. Each party who claims territory will be given a voice and required to station security at the station. The majority of the station would remain unclaimed for other Rogue Traders to join us. This will require a careful reworking of Footfall into districts and much investment. 

“I would suggest that we limit the number of districts, and thus seats, of the potential council. The number of seats should be just enough to ensure the new administration is worth the effort of contesting, but not so many that the number of voices paralyses the administration with cross purposes and hanging votes.”

Tanthus glares at Alpia for a moment, only to shudder and drop his gaze to the table.

Alpia continues, “Third, we could rewrite the compact to provide the Liege of Footfall with more power, then sponsor them with a small security force and superior technology from multiple Imperial factions. 

“Many trade goods invite corruption, especially xenos artefacts and slavery. While distasteful, banning them would not stop their proliferation and chase them from Imperial oversight. 

“With increased authority, the Liege of Footfall could impose a small amount of regulation. This would reduce the chance of a repeated betrayal by such filthy industries and provide a brief window to intercept the worst trades, or track and hunt the suppliers once they depart the station.

“I’m not going to bother summarising the stupidity of doing nothing and do not consider it an option. Does anyone else have a proper fourth proposal?”

While everyone glances about, seeing if someone else is going to speak, Alpia sends to me telepathically, “How was that, Dad?”

“I am super impressed, Sweet Pea. You absolutely nailed it,” I send. “I like your second option too and was already planning something similar.”

“Yeah, I talked it over with Mum on the way here and she thought much the same thing. She has a presentation prepared for why we shouldn’t overreach. Make sure she gets a chance to speak too!”

“I always do.”

Abbsine mutters a brief prayer, bringing attention to herself, then she says, “Footfall is of minor importance to the Lathe Worlds. It is a useful layover for our expeditions in the eternal Quest for Knowledge. It is not so vital that I am willing to commit resources. None would dare bar a Mechanicus vessel and squabbling Rogue Traders will not stop us from taking what we need.

“If I were to choose, I favour maximum security. The Stellar Fleet has done good work in rebuilding the Breaking Yards and I would see that repeated here. The cold trade is illegal and should be stamped out. The alien mechanism is a perversion and should not be in the hands of the uneducated. As for the flesh of menials and other castes, Heiress Alpia, I rather think you blow their importance and consequences out of proportion. The personnel numbers traded at this station are a rounding error for a Forge or Hive World.”

“Thank you for your perspective, Logis Vakul,” I say. “I shall lay down a little law of my own. No contributions, no vote.”

Abbisine stiffens, then relaxes, “You would enforce that?”

“If I must,”

“Then I will get the order I desire. I have no objections.”

Ah, I was played. Damn.

“Trader Calligos,” I say, “In what direction do your trade winds blow?”

“I am in favour of Heiress Alpia’s third option.”

“Was your tithe more onerous than expected?”

Calligos smirks, “Are you saying I am poor, Trader Issengrund? No, I would not be burdened by a minor expansion of my domain. It is a matter of focus. I wish for a quick resolution so that I may muster a fleet and hunt down Karad Vall’s bases. His insult cannot go unanswered. Dividing up Footfall, although to my benefit, would require my face for best effect. It would be unseeming and foolish of me to leave a proxy until all other Rogue Traders have their seat. Might I suggest an auction? Either council seats or captured vessels, to pay for the restoration.”

Riordan taps his armoured finger against the table twice, then says, “Those vessels were captured by the Barghests. We have no intention of handing them over.”

I frown, “You are not sending them to SR-651 for purification and recycling?Playing with corrupted vessels will not end well.”

“That is a little hypocritical of you, Magos Issengrund. Did you not purify and reconstruct Dying Light’s Nova Cannon for Torchbearer?”

“I did. If I had the STC for it I would have scrapped it and built a new one. It would have been faster and more reliable. That one shot it managed did much good, but now the Nova Cannon is broken.”

Riordan rests his elbows on the table, claps his hands, rests his chin upon his gauntlets and meets my eyes with his own. “Magos, your industrial capacity,  technical knowledge, and numerous artisans blinds you to the desperation of the Imperium. It might be risky, but for most people, purifying and restoring a void ship is faster and more practical than building a new one, let alone sending them into the sun and mining everything anew.”

“What do you propose?” says Alpia, “You’re not going to ask me to bless the damn things are you?”

“No, no. I do not wish to place further burdens on your young shoulders, Heiress Alpia. The Bargests support option two. We wish to open a trade school and recruitment station.”

My eyes widen, “That is a different tune to the last conversation I had with Force Commander Odhran. What is the purpose of this trade school?”

“Force Commander Odhran and senior Tech-Marine Balor have taken your words to heart, Magos Issengrund. The intention is to train voidship crews using the captured vessels. 

“These vessels will be converted into monitor ships and used to protect Footfall and provide an opportunity for practical experience for trainees. The trade school will be used to found crews for the influx of new vessels you are building for the Barghests, or sold to passing void ships to help fund the Barghest’s many conflicts and interests. 

“700 Cyber-Marines and 200 Tech-Marines will remain at the station, forming a new Company, much like the Space Wolves do. 200 Tech-Marines will be sent to Chapter Master Lir to immediately fulfil your obligations.

“The remaining 3,000 Astartes and 4,500 Cyber-Marines will continue to follow you as part of Force Commander Odhran’s strike force at no extra cost to you, even though you only contracted 150 marines and 850 Auxilia.”

I say, “I don’t have a problem with that. I am pleased that the Barghests are adapting to their unexpected influx of Battle Brothers in a codex compatible fashion. Well, close enough anyway.”

Riordan’s sharp fangs flash as he gives the room’s occupants and aggressive smile, “The new company will secure the supply-line between Calixis and the Koronus Expanse as well as provide a quick reaction force for reinforcing Chapter Master Lir for conflicts that get out of hand and other inevitable scenarios.

“We will use the recruitment station to let us pull from a far wider range of people than the Barghests usually have available. The station will be needed for new Astartes, Voidsmen, Menials, and Serfs.

“The Barghests hope that their presence will encourage migration and restore the population of Footfall in a rapid manner. The station will not restore itself.”

Raphael sits up straighter then says, “It’s never a dull day with you, Magos Issengrund. It would appear we cannot escape the pull of your earlier conversation about Astartes experimentation with a mere clap of your hands. I rather think it is one you should finish.”

“You didn’t know about the experiments?” I say. “Well, that explains why I didn’t either. It is your job to keep me informed.”

Even though his expression remains neutral, I feel a spike of annoyance from Raphael, strong enough to peek through his protections.

“No, I already have the gist of it. The Daemon is in the details though, is it not?” says Raphael.

“I suppose it is not entirely off topic now that the Barghests want to use their numbers to secure Footfall,” I say.