Editing The Tales of the Emperasque: Part Twelve (section)

==9-094-001-M42==
“Hell no,” Eldrad said flatly.<br>
“Farseer, I do not need your approval,” Isha said wearily. Taldeer shifted uncomfortably behind them both, caught in the middle of their verbal sparring match.<br>
“It’s not a matter of approval.” Eldrad rubbed his eyes, marshaling his thoughts. “We can’t risk losing you again, not now.”<br>
“In stark contrast to losing you, who are entirely expendable,” Isha said drily.<br>
“Compared to you, yes, Lady Isha, I am,” Eldrad said doggedly. “I can go alone. I’ve coordinated with the Mon-k…humans before,” he added, noticing the psychic blank slate that was LIIVI in a room nearby. Taldeer bristled.<br>
“Father, Lady Isha, I could go in your stead. I possess rather more working knowledge of the Imperium than either of you, at this point.”<br>
Isha grinned faintly at the mental images floating through Taldeer’s head at that statement. Eldrad slowed until Taldeer caught up with him.
“My daughter, I am no more willing to send you alone into the heart of the Imperium than I am-”<br>
“Father.” Taldeer interrupted, coming to a halt and spinning to face him. “Enough. Even if you were up-to-date on the state of the galaxy right now, you’re still mentally and physically exhausted by your trials. I’m going.”<br>
Eldrad stared down his stubborn daughter for a few more seconds before relenting. “Very well. On your own head be the consequences if this goes poorly.”<br>
“Good.” Taldeer resumed her march down the hall to where the rest of the delegation was waiting. “Since the Emperor of humans already knows about LIIVI and Lofn, there’s minimal risk involved for them anyway.”<br>
“ ‘Them?’” Eldrad echoed, catching up to her and blocking her path. “You can’t be considering bringing them with you.”
Taldeer smirked proudly. “I am. And you will see exactly why.”<br>

Vulkan reclined against the wall of the Aquilla, resplendent in his Terminator armor. He had decided that theater was more important than modesty for this venture. Tu’Shan hadn’t disagreed.<br>
“Lieutenant Commander Wilcox, you are to resume repairs of the Warp drive and Gellar field as soon as we’re clear; our ship will attract more of their attention. Does the ship’s targeting computer have a feed from the sensorium yet?” he asked quietly.<br>
“Affirmative, my Lord. We’re picking you up five-by. Your armor’s sensorium is breathtaking,” Wilcox’s Chief Enginseer replied for him, tracking the tiny shuttle on the ship’s many sensor suites. “We have been unable to acquire the location of the crypt, however.”
“As was expected. Is the package en route?” Vulkan asked.<br>
“It is. Against my very specific, respectful request, my Lord,” the Enginseer said carefully.<br>
“Noted. Vulkan out.” Vulkan slowly walked back to the ramp of the shuttle, a few of the ship’s surviving Naval Armsmen accompanying him, riot shields opacified and helm guards locked in place, polarized to max. Both stood with shock mauls and assault shotguns prominently stowed, the stocks of their shotguns and sidearms jutting out from their slings, ready to be drawn and fired from the hip in microseconds. Neither man would ever fire a single shot except by Vulkan’s direct order, of course, but they were there for show anyway.

“Warriors. Thank you for your escort. I will take it from here,” Vulkan said. Both men nodded, stepping back from the ramp with respectful salutes. They assumed parade-ground guard poses at the top of the ramp as the engines went silent, and the airframe shook as it settled down. The ramp slowly lowered with a faint hiss of hydraulics, revealing a small cluster of Water and Fire caste personnel beyond.<br>
The effect of the Primarch’s sudden appearance was immediate and satisfying. The cluster of Fire Warriors immediately went for their railrifles, and the Water diplomats took at least two steps back a piece. Vulkan wasted no time, striding down the ramp slowly, as the two armsmen locked their person shields in place at the very top of the ramp, obstructing the view of the interior, not that anyone was looking at them.<br>
“Representatives of T’au?” Vulkan asked, when he was a few paces from the bottom of the ramp.<br>
One of the Water Caste diplomats retrieved their wits. “Yes…yes. I am Por’Ui Ses’teeg. Shas’O Fap’Tau has requested that we liase.”<br>
“But not to make promises on his behalf?” Vulkan rumbled, putting a little venom in his voice, and fire in his eyes.<br>
“Well…no,” the diplomat conceded. He shifted nervously, trying not to stare at the gigantic man with apprehension. “You mentioned a trade?”<br>
“Trades are bidirectional, Ses. I will not negotiate with someone who can not authorize actions on their leader’s behalf.” Vulkan pulled his helmet off and glared at the fidgeting Water Caste speaker. “Go get Fap, or bring me to him. I’ve got all the time in the world.”<br>
“I can not allow an alien soldier to simply speak to our interim leader directly without learning more of him first,” the diplomat said gruffly.<br>
Vulkan took a long step forward, towering over the small alien by nearly a meter. “I’ve got all the time in the world,” he repeated. “Do you?”