Ciaphas Cain: Choose Your Enemies

‘They do.’ A faintly troubled look ghosted across Amberley’s face. ‘But something’s coming. Sambhatain wasn’t specific, but it had him rattled.’

‘How soon?’ I asked, and Amberley shook her head.

‘He wasn’t specific about that either.’ Then she grinned, in her usual carefree manner. ‘But it’s not going to be tonight.’

‘Good,’ I said, and finished my drink. ‘Did he say why they sent those Vypers to get the assassins off my back?’

Amberley nodded. ‘That made sense, at least. In all the futures he could see where they killed you, the daemon manifested, and they couldn’t fight it off. Even though he couldn’t see how you’d make the difference.’

‘Because I was holding the null rod,’ I said, to show I was able to make at least a simple deduction.

‘Or because you were standing next to Jurgen.’ Amberley shrugged, with the usual distracting effect. ‘Either way, it affected his ability to see precisely what would happen.’

‘So, what next?’ I asked.

Amberley looked thoughtful. ‘I’ll drop Vekkman off on Drechia, to mop up the cult there, then I’m heading out-system. I’ve still got heretech smugglers to chase.’

‘And I’d better get back to my regiment,’ I agreed, with a twinge of regret. Once we parted, there was no telling how long it would be before our paths crossed again. ‘I’m sure there’s a war somewhere we’re needed.’

‘No doubt there is.’ Amberley smiled in a manner I knew well, and I found myself responding in the usual way. ‘But I’m sure it can wait until tomorrow.’

‘I’m sure it can,’ I agreed.

[On which heart-warming moment of accord, this portion of his memoirs comes to a natural end.]

<<<< END >>>>

Notes

– Other than my customary footnotes.

– Though Cain encountered both the so-called dark eldar and their more civilised craftworld and Exodite kin several times in the course of his career, he seems never to have noticed the distinction; although, as in most of these instances they were equally intent on killing him, I suppose he can hardly be blamed for that.

– As I’ve noted before in the course of my editorial duties, Cain had an uncanny affinity for complex tunnel systems, apparently acquired in the course of an early childhood which he claims to have spent in the underhive of an as yet unidentified world.

– Though they appear to be propelled entirely by gravitic manipulation, these vehicles have been referred to as jetbikes for as long as humanity has been aware of the eldar and their wargear and, Cain’s pedanticism notwithstanding, the nomenclature is unlikely to be changed at this late stage.

– A naturally occurring substance much prized on forge worlds for its ability to bond almost immovably to just about anything.

– Like most Imperial Guard officers, Cain had a somewhat jaundiced view of the average planetary defence force, tending to regard them as barely competent at best. There were exceptions, of course – and when he found himself serving alongside local units which exceeded his expectations, he generally gave credit where it was due.

– An Imperial Guard staging system, where most regiments in the Damocles Gulf would periodically return for resupply and reassignment.