Placating the Implacable

Posted on Wed Mar 12th, 2025 @ 8:15am by Lieutenant Commander Atna & Lieutenant S'Lace & Ramielos Volsunga

1,322 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Masters of the Stars [2]
Location: Unused Observation Lounge, Pier 2, Lower Docking Bay
Timeline: 1800 - MD02 (After 'The Admiral's Debriefing')

"Well then, let us not waste any further time. I expect we may get our best results as to our guest's wellbeing directly from the source." Atna suggested

S'Lace made a non-commital grunt in response.

"Chief, please open a channel to our guest." Atna asked Gaz. When the chime sounded and he gave the thumbs up, she spoke up, recalling how Thari had conducted herself during the earlier conversation. "Volsunga, we would speak with you, if you are willing to respond."

S'Lace was curious to see how cooperative their prisoner/patient would be now that, in theory, he was free of undue influence. Unless said influence was so deep rooted it would take years of counseling to remove...

"Speak." Volsunga said simply, opening his eyes, and trying to move himself into a position where he was facing them.

"My associate is a physician. She would like to ask you some questions in the interest of preserving your health until such time as we can return you to your Imperium." Atna said.

"Your deceptions are transparent, but I will play along until it loses my interest." Volsunga said, expecting that this was some manner of intelligence gathering exercise. But nothing they could glean from his words could threaten the Imperium... could it? He felt something unusual in that moment, something he didn't recognise. Doubt. He concealed it well.

S'Lace arched an eyebrow at Atna at that, "Volsunga, I would respectfully request that you not lie to me as my intentions as your acting physician are to ensure your physical well being," his mental well being, thankfully, was someone else' problem, "Are you in any pain or discomfort? Are you experiencing any disorientation?"

"No. Why, what have you done to me?" Volsunga asked reflexively.

"I have done nothing to you," S'Lace replied truthfully, glancing Atna's way. She continued in response to Volsunga, "As a physician it is my duty to tend to your physical ailments. I merely ask if you feel well, and if you do not what I may do to tend to your medical needs."

"I am fine." Volsunga responded without affect or emotion.

S'Lace pursed her lips, then said, "Volsunga, you are a unique being so I am relying upon your own judgment in regards to your physical well being so I will take you at your word," she glanced at Atna once more before responding to their charge, "But if you feel a change in your physical status then I would humbly request that you have me informed so I may tend to you."

She muted the connection and murmured to Atna, "Calling him a liar or implying he does not know how to diagnose himself seems...counter productive..."

"Perhaps if we replay him the recording of what the Commander has done, he may recognise what he removed. Context may give him better understanding of anything he may be feeling as a result." Atna suggested. "Or he may become furious and try to escape again." She acknowledged, as she realised the possibility.

"Ethically what we did was without his consent," S'Lace pointed out, "But at the time we were not certain if what was done to him was with his consent. But I think deceiving him would also be unethical. We should be honest with Volsunga and tell him."

"Chief, play the recording of the Commander's procedure to him." Atna said, unmuting the audio. "An ally of ours told us you were carrying some manner of metaphysical pathogens. He undertook to remove them, for your benefit and ours."

Once the instruction was given, Gaz projected a hologram of the Commander's procedure for Volsunga to view.

The space marine did not react to what he saw, but when it was over, his expression changed to something less stern, calmer somehow. He seemed convinced by what he had seen. "The Tyranid hivemind, and the ruinous powers. I... did not know they had purchase on me. You have done me a service in removing them. And the light, the astronomicon... I had thought it was gone when I first arrived here, but now I know. I feel... cold." Volsunga admitted. There was almost a sadness in his voice.

"What is this astronomicon?" S'Lace inquired, curious.

"The light of the Emperor. The beacon by which humanity crosses the stars. The sublime manfiestation of His glorious might." Volsunga responded, stirred from the sudden vulnerability back into a loyal child of his Emperor.

"What does its absence tell you?" Atna queried, it was a curious suggestion he'd already made, that perhaps he was seeing his God-Emperor as something other than omnipotent. She knew not to express that, or even think it too loudly.

"Only distance could conceal it. Even the Aeldari could not travel far enough through their webway to escape it entirely. It gives credence to your claims that we are somewhere far from my home. Even if such claims of other universes are heresy. And I suppose it also gives credence to your denials of being Aeldari." Volsunga responded after a moment's thought. Was admitting such things heresy too? His faith had not waned, but he could not ignore the proof of his senses.

"Then you are willing to acknowledge we are not 'aeldari'? Can you accept also that we do not intend to harm you?" Atna asked.

"You may not be aeldari, but that doesn't mean you won't lie for advantage. Looking at your technology, you'll need every advantage you can get." Volsunga criticised.

S'Lace was not certain whether or not that was an accurate assessment or a bluff. She said, "The Federation has no interest in engaging in conflicts with other interstellar or extra-dimensional political entities. Perhaps, during that period when you engaged in hostilities with us upon your arrival you may have noticed the diversity of species that comprise our population. We are a cooperative society."

She paused, then added, "Or perhaps you were in no state to notice such things."

Volsunga looked like he was about to say something derisive, but as he amused himself with potential responses, the coldness suddenly bit into him once more. His stare became long. He realised it had been too long since he spoke. "And supposing I chose to cooperate. What then? Even without anything that's mine, I could still kill most of you just by sitting on you."

"My colleague S'Lace and I are Vulcans. We are on average three times as fast and strong as the median human, owing to the density of our muscle fibers and increased metabolic efficiency. Our martial arts, touch-telepathy and nerve-affecting neuropressure mean that we could murder non-Vulcans with great ease. We do not, because it would gain us nothing, and cost us everything." Atna said.

"If you truly wish to cooperate, we can consider your release, possibly even finding a role for you, if you prove genuine. If however you attempt to deceive us, and lie, you will be brought back here and not released until such time as you can be returned to your home universe. You will have a second chance, but I make no promise of a third." Atna told the supersoldier.

S'Lace regarded with Atna with surprise, which in Vulcan facial tells was both eyebrows rising. Did she just give a potential enemy detailed intelligence on their capabilities? She considered saying something, then refrained; it was done, speaking on it would gain them nothing.

"I will consider what you have proposed." Volsunga said, closing his eyes once more, and returning to his meditative position.

"If you need anything, simply speak and whoever is monitoring you will relay any requests. If you experience any illness or distress, please let us know. More permanent quarters should be ready for you some time tomorrow. Until then." Atna said, closing the channel.

Atna looked around at S'Lace and the assembled scientists with an expression that many knew meant it was time for a debrief.

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