Evilynn smoothed down her skirts one more time, the blue feathers ruffling gently under her touch. She flattened them as well as she could, untangling them gently. If only she had a fine comb or pick to help. Her nails were long and sharp, at least, and she used those to untangle the fine vanes.

Beside her, Kyrin cleared his throat and quietly offered her a data-slate. She blinked at it, then up at him, swearing under her breath. Taking it from him, she mumbled a thanks and pressed the pad of her thumb to illuminate it.

Guilliman and Cawl’s new Primaris marines were someting to behold, truly. Bigger, stronger, faster, with higher mental capabilities, even their minds seemed to work faster than the now-named Firstborn marines. They’d come at their time of internal and external strife like a light in the dark, setting a flame to burn back the xenos.

She’d heard of the necrons, but seeing these new marines and knowing what they were capable of made her worry what they were truly capable of. Guilliman was an honest man, but could these metal skeletons enslave entire planets by their mystical stone alone? The reports had to be right and she didn’t dare watch any vid-recordings shared with her.

She scrolled through the information slowly, lifting her hand to her lips to chew on her nail. The ancient Stormbird made a soft rattle as it entered the thin atmosphere, but remained smooth, flying easily through the dark void. Ahead, the vox crackled softly as clearance checks were reconfirmed.

The Carcharodons were hard to track, but not impossible to contact. Even with the Great Rift, the screams of astropaths reached even their ears. A call from her, with her clearance, was one that couldn’t be ignored. They were exiled, but not forgotten and she would see they were properly reinforced.

A heavy thunk echoed as the Stormbird landed and she licked her lips, wiping her hand on the edge of her skirt. Kyrin stood, latching his helmet over his head with a soft hiss. Air hissed as the ramp released and then opened.

She rose, straightening herself, tucking the slate in the crook of her arm. She was Lady of Deliverance and would present herself as such. She was far from some bumbling, backwards bumpkin. She wouldn’t be quailed by loyal exiles.

Her tall, sharp heels clicked as she stepped down, her skirts encircling her, her corset snug. Kyrin wore his Mark X armor, cutting a fine figure of black against her blue. Dull lights illuminated them, casting an almost murky gaze about the embarkation deck. A lone black feather jutted out from her golden hair, pinned in place with a sapphire clip.

Awaiting her, however, was a form that would be impossible to miss. Massive and pale, decorated in carvings of grey and black, teeth rounded out the gorget. Tyberos the Red Wake stared down at her with black eyes and a scarred face, half of his cheek missing and exposing the sharpened teeth underneath. Ink decorated his skin, swirling in patterns she didn’t understand.

To his right, a librarian stood, white hair falling down his shoulders, blue plate standing out against the gloom. The end of his staff glowed softly, the void of his eyes locked onto the blue of her own. She gave a small smile towards him, Kyrin holding his relaxed posture beside her.

“You won’t be able to scan my mind,” she said easily, recognizing the movement of his eyes as they focused on hers. She motioned to the band clasped around her upper arm. “I’m what some call a pariah. Without this, even Kyrin would feel disgust around me.”

His glow staff dimmed. “I am Te Kahurangi, Lady of Deliverance.”

She nodded, her eyes drifting towards Tyberos, unable to fully sate her curiosity. “Please, Evilynn is fine on its own. It is a pleasure to meet you both, Tyberos, Te Kahurangi. I’ve already sent for the marines themselves to be sent elsewhere among the Ghoul Stars and the edges of the outer dark.” Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief. The Ashen Claws would be grateful, even if she’d never hear from them again.

Tyberos’ cold eyes bore into Kyrin, staring at him and his new armor. “This technology will not interfere with our goings?”

She shook her head, stepping forward to offer him the slate. A massive gauntlet took it from her, delicate despite its size. “Not at all. The process has been further refined and the risk of permanent death has dropped significantly compared to the original batches. Kyrin is one of the original stock, but he is simply an… assistant.” Her lips twitched as she tried to restrain herself from giggling at the idea of having an astartes as an assistant.

Tyberos nodded. “We have accepted these terms. You have brought other supplies as requested?”

“I have, yes. Serfs, armor, food, vehicles, anything you need. The Mechanicum weren’t too happy to give it up, but with Guilliman’s support, I have a bit more pull than before.” Her eyes softened as she looked at him. “I am sorry I haven’t been able to help you before this.”

Tyberos stared down at her, passing the slate to Te Kahurangi. “Do not apologize. You have come to us now and you will continue while we defend from the void. You are the Remembered One. You will be remembered as we fight for Rangu.”

She let out a slow breath, nodding. “Thank you. If you require aid again, I will help you. This might not be what he intended, but you are loyal to the Imperium and we need all the help we can get. Your calls will not be unheard by me.”

Then, slowly, Tyberos knelt down, heavy knee echoing around the deck. Te Kahurangi followed, as did the silent Terminators behind them. They bowed their heads low to her, the frames of their armor humming.

Her throat squeezed as they bowed, her chest swelling at the sight of them. Deep scarring showed just how much they fought and bled for the Imperium that’d abandoned them. Silent giants pleading fealty to her and her alone, despite it all. It was more than just loyalty to a dying Imperium and undead God-Emeperor, it was to the living person in front of them.

Beside her, Kyrin silently extended a folded handkerchief, the letter ‘E’ stitched in black fabric on blue. She dabbed at the corners of her eyes, breathing in slowly. “There’s no need to bow to me. This is hardly a fraction of what a primarch could do. I’m not him, I never could be. I only want to repay you for the work you’ve done.”

Tyberos rose smoothly, the rest following him. “We will continue to serve as we have, both as repayment and in servitude to Rangu.”

She nodded, bunching the handkerchief in her hand. “I have one small request,” she held up her fingers, pinching them apart slightly. “I heard you have a giant… shark? May I see it?”

The remaining corner of Tyberos’ lips twitched. “Come.”

She smiled and held up her hand when Kyrin stepped forward with her. “I’ll be fine on my own. You can speak with Te Kahurangi about your anatomy or armor or… something.” She waved her hand dismissively, walking to stand beside Tyberos. The Red Wake began walking and she followed, her voice the loudest thing in the quiet deck, “I haven’t seen a shark before. Oh, damn it, I should’ve brought some captures with me, you’ve never seen the birds of Kiavahr, have you? This is one of their feathers.”

Left on the embarkation deck, Kyrin looked to the Chief Librarian, feeling the insistent probing on his mind. He didn’t even think to protest, letting the Librarian see what he needed. “I will call for supplies to be delivered.”