Pirates

Angron glared up at the Emperor. They had been having a fierce argument about Angron wanting to participate in a new event off planet. The Emperor didn't approve because this was a new world to the Imperium. He was also trying to get Angron away from competing in the gladiatorial games on Nuceria. This was due to the Nucerians requesting that Angron be implanted with something called the Butcher's Nails to make him fiercer.
"I hate you," Angron announced. The comment hung heavy in the air. None of the Primarchs had ever said that. The Emperor took a moment to steady himself. He had expected such a comment eventually, but it still stung.
As he was reaching for the right words to calm Angron down, even just a little, his vox bead activated. It was a priority alert signal; he was needed elsewhere.
"We will continue this discussion later," the Emperor said. "I need to take care of something. Horus is in charge until I get back. I'll send Valdor to check in on you when I know more."
"Yes, Father," the Primarchs chorused. All save Angron who continued to sullenly glare at the Emperor. Suppressing a sigh, the Emperor left.
The other Primarchs shared nervous glances. They were familiar with the stages of Angron's rages. This was the part where Angron stomped off for his axe before going to the training hall. The problem was, he hadn't moved yet. He was still standing there, as if rooted to the spot, glaring where the Emperor had just been standing.
Finally, Angron moved, stomping off as expected. Some of the tension in the room left with him. He returned moments later, axe in hand, pausing at the doorway, he shot a glare at Horus. Horus just nodded his head. There was no talking with Angron until after he had vented in the training hall.

*************************

Angron left the residence and headed for the training hall. On the way there, an idea struck him. If he could find a way off Terra, he could go to the contest. The hardest part was getting out of the Palace. If he was spotted by a Custodian, or Sister of Silence, they would likely direct him to the training hall, or take him back to the residence. 

Then he remembered that there was a ship that was shuttling weapons from newly conquered worlds for display in the Palace. He just needed to get to the shuttle bay before it made it's last run. Still forming his plan, he turned and headed off to catch his shuttle.

*************************

"Valdor, can you check on my sons?" the Emperor asked into the vox. He had called a brief recess to the negotiations he was mediating. Both sides had insisted that only the Emperor could help them. It didn't help that both representatives were very stubborn. 

"My king, we have an issue," Valdor voxed a moment later. "Angron is missing."

"He's not in the training hall?" the Emperor asked. It was common for Angron to go there when he was upset. Valdor was well aware of that.

"He is not," Valdor replied. "I have organized search parties." 

"How are the others?" the Emperor asked. 

"They are upset, Horus appears to be blaming himself."

"I will reschedule the negotiations I am mediating," the Emperor said. "I will be there soon."

"I will stay until you arrive," Valdor said. The Emperor cut the vox channel. The recess was at its end.

The representatives were waiting for him. The man looked impatient and opened his mouth to speak, but thought better of it when he saw the Emperor's face.

"Has something happened, my lord?" the woman asked hesitantly. The matter they were negotiating was a highly gender sensitive one.

"I need to reschedule these talks," the Emperor said. "One of my sons has gone missing."

"We can reschedule," the woman offered, glancing at her male counter part.

"Naturally," he agreed. "It's very understandable. What are we without our family?"

"There's something we agree on," the woman muttered.

The Emperor ignored the exchange. He left the room and headed directly to the residence. The door swung open as he approached. Horus came up, hugging him almost as soon as the Emperor had stepped inside.

"I thought he was going to the training hall," Horus said. His voice was muffled a bit as he pressed himself close to the Emperor.

"I believe you," the Emperor said. 

"He had his axe," Roboute said. "That made it the most likely theoretical."

"We all thought that was where he was headed," Sanguinius assured Horus. 

"It's not your fault, Horus," the Emperor said. He looked towards Valdor, clearly seeking a report.

"So far we have nothing," the Captain-General reported. "We are still searching and shifting through security footage."

"You'll find him," Lorgar said. "He can't have gotten out of the Palace, right?"

"It's not likely," Valdor said. "He would have tripped an alarm if he tried."

"The Palace is large," Vulkan noted. "It's more likely he's still here."

"He's not close," the Lion said. "But Vulkan is right, the Palace is large."

Valdor shifted position, clearly receiving an update.

"It seems that he did find a way out," he said after a moment. "We have him on auspex sneaking on to a remembrancer shuttle."

"What about the alarm?" Corvus asked.

"The shuttle returned to it's ship, Swift Runner, during a gap in the scans," Valdor answered. "He really wanted out."

"He's going to that competition," Konrad said. "The one on Sparticus."

"Where is the ship?" the Emperor asked. This could be resolved quickly.

"It's gone," Valdor said. "Reached the Mandville point a few minutes ago."

"Prepare the Imperator Somnium," the Emperor said. "Do we know where it is going?"

"Yes," Valdor said and departed.

***********************

Angron held his breath. The crewman passed him by. He was exploring the ship the shuttle had returned to. He followed the crewman, trying to be as quiet as possible. Hopefully this would lead him to the galley.

Unforetunatly for Angron, the crewman wasn't going to the galley. He was heading to his shift as a bridge officer.

"Who's your shadow, Kurt?" the shipmistress asked. The crewman turned around sharply.

"What is your name?" Kurt asked.

"I'm..." Angron trailed off. If he said his real name, they would take him back to his father. "Andrew."

"Where are you from?" the shipmistress asked.

"Terra," Angron said. That he could answer.

"Snuck on at the Palace most likely," Kurt said.

"Why would anyone who lives at the Palace stow away?" the vox officer asked.

"Because I want to go to a fighting competition off world," Angron answered.

"Without a weapon?" Kurt asked.

"My chainaxe is down below," Angron said.

"Why do you think we will take you there?'' the shipmistress asked.

"Even if you don't, it gets me closer than sitting on Terra," Angron replied. "You can drop me off at a station, though I'm only going to Sparticus."

"Does your mother know where you are?" Kurt asked. "Or your father?"

"My mother is dead," Angron said. It wasn't a complete lie, Mount Everest wasn't alive. "Father's busy, he won't notice." I hope Angron added silently.

"I wouldn't be so sure on that," Kurt said. "Unless he's in the Army."

"He is," Angron said.That also was technically true.

"Sparticus is on the way back to the fleet," the shipmistress said. She seemed to be mulling it over.

"It's dangerous," the vox officer stated.

"True," the shipmistress said. "All void travel is." 

"You'll take me?" Angron asked hopefully.

"I'll at least wait until then to decide if I inform your father."

"Thank you, mamzel," Angron said. "I'll stay out of the crew's way."

"That's a good plan," the shipmistress said. "Kurt, he's your responsibility."

Relieved, Angron departed the bridge. Kurt winced a bit and then followed him out.

********************

"He seems to have convinced them to change course," Kaal said. "They're going to Sparticus."

"Angron does have depth," Malcador mused. He had come along so Angron could see that the whole family was concerned. 

"I didn't know that," Fulgrim said. "He's just angry."

"I'm angry a lot," Ferrus said. "But I am more than that."

"You pursue perfection," Fulgrim said. "That's more than Angron."

"He's about pursuing honor," the Lion interjected. "He's not an ork, fighting for fighting's sake."

"I guess," Fulgrim conceeded.

"What is Father worried about?" Magnus asked. "I know he's worried about Angron, but it seems like there's something more."

"Maybe it has to do with what Angron said," Jaghatai said. "Before Father had to leave."

"What did he say?" Malcador asked.

"He said that he hates Father," Magnus said.

"Nearly every child has said that to their father at some point," Malcador said. "It's not all that surprising that Angron said it first." He had a mental list of who he had expected to say it first, with Konrad and Lorgar being the other front runners.

"Did you say it to your father?" Jaghatai asked.

"I think I did," Malcador said. "I know I thought it more than once."

"Did you ever mean it?" Horus asked. He looked the most surprised at Malcador's explanation.

"No," Malcador said. "And I doubt that Angron truly meant it either."

"That's good," Horus said. He didn't like the idea of someone truly hating the Emperor.

"So it caught Father off-guard?" Fulgrim asked.

"I don't know," Malcador said. The Emperor had ordered the Imperator Somnium to intercept Swift Runner near Sparticus, then went into his sanctum. He hadn't been seen by anyone since. 

"Can you go check on him?" Horus asked. Malcador looked at the Primarch, and idly noted that Horus was nearly as tall as him. He was also aware that several of the Primarchs had tried to see the Emperor, but the Emperor had remained silent.

"I'll check on him," Malcador said. "You can all behave for Shipmaster Kaal?"

"Yes," the Primarchs chorused.

***********************

Malcador stood outside the Emperor's sanctum for several moments. Finally, he pressed the door chime and took a step back. After a long moment, the door opened. The Emperor was seated at a table in the center of the room. 

"Sit," the Emperor said. His tone made it somewhere between an invitation and an order. Malcador sat in the chair opposite the Emperor.

"Your sons are worried about you," Malcador said after a moment. 

"Did they tell you? What Angron said?"

"Yes," Malcador admitted. "That's why they're concerned."

"What did you tell them?" the Emperor asked.

"That he likely didn't mean it," Malcador answered. "And that it's common for children to get angry with their parents."

"I had been expecting it," the Emperor admitted. "But it still surprises me how much it hurt."

"It can be surprising," Malcador said. "You're doing everything you can for all of them. I would expect it to sting when one says something like that."

"Am I?" the Emperor asked. 

"Yes," Malcador assured him. "It may not always seem like it, but you are."

**********************

Angron was struggling to be patient. Swift Runner was not as fast as the Imperator Somnium. It was also much smaller which made it harder for him to stay out of the way.

He was still very surprised that the Emperor hadn't arrived to take him home. despite being smaller, Swift Runner was very quiet. He was of the opinion that it was due to a lack of children on board.

A piercing alarum began to wail, followed by the ship lurching violently. Angron looked towards the vox unit on the wall, waiting to see if he would learn what was happening. The door to his room opened and Kurt entered with a laspistol.

"You know how to use one?" Kurt asked.

"Yes," Angron said. "What's going on?"

"We're under attack," Kurt answered, tossing the laspistol. Angron caught it deftly, he also grabbed his axe.

"Ready?" Kurt asked. Angron nodded, eagerly, then remembered that they were more likely to hide than counter attack. Kurt confirmed his concern.

"Follow me, then," Kurt said with a gesture. He headed down the hallway.

"Where are we going?" Angron asked. "Saviour pods?"

"Hangar bay," Kurt said. "We're going to try and make the run to Sparticus."

"Just us?" Angron asked, surprised.

"Less likely to get chased down," Kurt explained. "Besides, you might be able to reach your father from there."

"Probably," Angron agreed.

They rounded a corner and were confronted by three boarders. Kurt moved in front of Angron protectively. One of the pirates took a shot that just barely missed Kurt. The wall that was struck began to rust. Angron saw that and took a shot at the pirate. He was the better marksman and the pirate fell, dropping his weapon. Another of the pirates grabbed it before Angron could. 

"You, and the boy, come with us," the pirate said, pointing the gun at Kurt.

"Go with them," Angron whispered. "We don't want to get hit by that gun."

"We'll follow," Kurt said, holding his hands out in submission. The pirates took their weapons, Angron glaring at them the whole time. He made a silent promise to the machine spirit of his axe that he would get it back. 

The pirates then brought Angron and Kurt to a teleport homer. Kurt paled at the sight. They were pushed close before the pirates activated the beacon.

A brief flash of the warp moved them from one ship to the other. Angron willed himself not to wretch, Kurt wasn't able to help himself. The pirates waiting for them on the ship took them to a holding cell. A single guard positioned himself down the hall.

"What was that weapon?" Kurt whispered to Angron. "How did you learn about it?"

"I have a confession to make," Angron whispered back.

"You were bait for this, weren't you, Andrew?" Kurt asked with a glare.

"No," Angron said defensively. "First, my name isn't Andrew. It's Angron."

"Like the Primarch?" Kurt asked, now surprised.

"That would be me," Angron said. "I only recognized the effect of the weapon. I've seen it before on a different ship."

"This also explains the chain axe," Kurt muttered. "Any ideas for how to get out of here?"

"I'm working on one," Angron said. "If we can get to a vox panel I can try to raise the Imperator Somnium. I know Father is out there looking for me."

"An astropath would be better wouldn't it?" Kurt asked.

"I doubt these pirates have one," Angron said.

"Ventilation system?" Kurt suggested, turning to how to get out.

"Too small," Angron said. "Even Alpharius wouldn't likely fit."

"A tunnel, then?" Kurt suggested. "Going through the bulkheads?"

"Possibly," Angron said. "I'm pretty good at destroying things."

"We'll just have to not get lost," Kurt chuckled.

"We need to start a tunnel before we can get lost," Angron pointed out.

"True," Kurt agreed. They began to inspect the walls of their cell, looking for a weak point.

***************************

"My lord?" Malcador asked. He had returned to the Emperor's sanctum after assuring the Primarchs that their father was fine.

"What is it?" the Emperor asked in reply.

"A report from the System Defense Force," Malcador answered. "They picked up a brief distress signal."

"The Swift Runner?" the Emperor asked.

"They think so," Malcador replied. "She's no longer broadcasting."

"Inform them that we will investigate," the Emepror said. 

"I already did," Malcador said. "Roboute will be happy that his theoretical was proven true."

"Was it that obvious?" the Emperor chuckled.

"Yes," Malcador said. "Kaal seemed to think it obvious as well."

***************************

"That is gross," Kurt hissed.

"We don't have anything else to work with," Angron said. "This is the only thing we found like a weak point."

Their "weak point" had been a hairline crack low in the wall. Angron was spitting on it, trying to make a hole that he could then widen with his hands. Kurt was on look out in case someone came by. They didn't actually have anything to cover the hole with besides themselves.

"At least it's quiet," Kurt said. "That makes it easier."

"True," Angron agreed before spitting again.

"What is the plan if someone walks by?" Kurt asked. He wasn't sure they would be able to conceal a large hole with just themselves.

"Rats," Angron said simply.

"They're not going to believe that," Kurt said.

"Probably not," Angron agreed with a sigh. "But it might get them to move us."

"Back to square one," Kurt said glumly.

"Out of here gives us the chance to fight," Angron countered.

"It is something," Kurt agreed. "Someone's coming."

Angron inspected his work so far. There was a very small hole in the crack. It wasn't big enough yet for him to really work with. That meant it was likely to get overlooked. A pirate stepped in front of the cell.

"Boy," the pirate said in heavy Gothic. "You come with me."

"Let him be," Kurt objected. "He's only a child."

"He comes, you stay," the pirate said.

"I'll go" Angron said. He wanted out of the cell to attempt escape. He could also free Kurt if he succeeded.

"Angron-" Kurt started.

"I'll be alright," Angron said, cutting him off. The energy field that served as a door dropped and Angron stepped into the hallway.

The pirate grabbed Angron, holding his arm tightly. Angron tried to free his arm, but found he lacked the leverage. Next, he tried to dig his feet in. The floor was too smooth and he just slid along.

"Where are you taking me?" Angron demanded, still attempting escape.

"You will see," the pirate answered.

"My Father is the Emperor,' Angron announced. "If you harm me, or my companion, he will not show mercy."

"He would have to find us," the pirate replied.

"There is nowhere you could hide from him," Angron said. "Not even the warp would be safe."

The pirate appeared to ignore Angron's threats. Most likely not believing them at all. They entered what looked like a lab set up for a haunted house. There were large blotches of what Angron took to be blood along with other human waste.

"On the bed," the pirate said, pushing Angron towards the narrow medical bed, releasing his arm in the process.

Angron span around and struck out at his captor. The pirate tried to dodge but was too slow. Angron's fist connected solidly with the pirate's throat.

It was the only hit that Angron got in. Several other pirates, and a pair of servitors, swamped him. With his arms pinned behind him, they forced him on to the bed. One of the servitors held him in place while the other secured him to the bed.

With Angron secured to the bed, a strange device was set by his head. He tried to turn and look at it, but he couldn't. A chirurgeon, if he could even be called that, came forward. His arms were coated to the elbows in congealed blood and he had a sinister gleam in his eyes. It was clear that he at least was xenos. All of the other pirates wore helmets, even on their own ship and he was unable to tell.

"You will pay with your lives if you do anything to me," Angron warned. He decided to play the part of Lorgar since he couldn't free himself from the bonds. It helped that he wasn't gagged in any way this time.

"I doubt that," the chirurgeon said. His voice was too smooth, like it was oiled or something. He activated the machine, thin arm-like extensions began to rise out of it. Angron continued to struggle, despite the futility. The restraints were too tight, he could do nothing. 

Then, the ship bucked. The chirurgeon spat in a dialect that Angron didn't recognize. However, he knew what had happened to the ship. It had been struck by the weapons of another ship.

"Father is here," Angron cried out. "And now you will pay."

"Perhaps," the chirurgeon said. He had reset the machine which had been knocked over when the ship bucked. The extensions came out again, reaching for Angron's head. He tried, muscles straining, but couldn't escape. 

"FATHER!!!!!!" Angron screamed. He didn't want to know what this machine was about to do to him. The xenos chirurgeon simply laughed at Angron's distress.

Just as the first of the extensions made contact with his head, the door to the laboratory burst open. He heard two reports from a bolter, one destroyed the machine, the other silenced the cursing chirurgeon. Jaghatai, Roboute, and Horus began to undo the restraints. Angron rolled off the bed quickly, glancing around. It was Valdor that had taken out the chirurgeon. 

"Here," Vulkan said, holding out Angron's axe to him. "You probably want this."

"Yes," Angron said taking it, he grasped it tightly to hide the shaking in his hands. "Have you found any other prisoners?"

"Malcador has," Valdor replied. "A crewman of Swift Runner. He seems concerned about you."

"Father isn't here?" Angron asked, frowning in confusion.  

"He's here," Horus assured him. "He's looking for the pirate leader."

"Oh," Angron said, shoulders dipping. He looked away from the others as he felt tears prick the corners of his eyes.

"We are to meet him on he bridge," Valdor said. 

"Alright," Angron said quietly. He was not sure how to feel about the Emperor not being the one to rescue him. It didn't feel right to be angry, but he was disappointed. He hoped they would run across some pirates so he could fight. Then he would know how to feel.

This time his hope was realized. They had barely left the lab when they were beset by a group of four pirates. Valdor seemed aware of Angron's desire to fight. He allowed the Primarchs to surge forward. Angron beat Jaghatai to the pirates.

He was happy to be able to get his revenge on his captors. There was still the lingering disappoint that it was Valdor, not his father, that had saved him. He frowned, some of his battle joy leaving as the last pirate fell. They had lasted a matter of seconds against the five Primarchs. There were more pirates coming down the corridor, but Valdor herded the Primarchs away.

"Corvus," Vulkan called. "Are you still with us?"

"I'm here," Corvus said, appearing suddenly between Angron and Vulkan.

"Good," Vulkan said. "Didn't want to lose track of a brother after we just got everyone back."

"Understandable," Corvus said. His power whip crackled with power. He flicked it behind them, tripping up two of their pursuers. This caused a pile up behind them, allowing Valdor's group to escape.

They made it to the bridge without further confrontation. Angron's conflicting emotions surged to the fore again. He stopped in front of the Emperor, glaring at the floor. A silence descended on the bridge; it was both expectant and slightly awkward. Finally Angron broke the standstill by closing the distance to the Emperor. None of the others were willing to see if Angron was crying. It didn't seem safe. The Emperor embraced his wayward son.

"I'm sorry, Father," Angron said. "And I don't hate you."

"I know," the Emperor said softly. "It's alright."

"If I hadn't run away Swift Runner wouldn't have been attacked," Angron said. "Is the crew of Swift Runner alright?"

"There were a few casualties," the Emperor admitted.

"And Kurt's alright as well?" Angron asked.

"He's fine," the Emperor said. "He should be here soon with Malcador."

"Good," Angron said, finally relaxing a tiny bit. "It's still my fault."

"You can't know that," the Emperor said.

"We were only involved with Dragon's Horde after she was attacked," Sanguinius pointed out. "The pirates weren't after you specifically."

"But they weren't originally going this close to Sparticus," Angron portested. "They would have been safe."

"Maybe," Konrad said. "However, that's the past now. It can't be changed."

"They were all nice to me," Angron said. "How did they take the reveal?"

"Well, no one fainted," Lorgar said. "That's a positive, right?"

"Probably," Angron said. "And they don't blame me?"

"I don't," Kurt said. He had caught the question just as he entered. Angron span around and smiled broadly.

"Kurt!" Angron cried out. "You're alright?"

"Yes," Kurt chuckled. "And less grossed out by the spit."

"How'd that happen?" Angron asked.

"I changed someone's body temperature too quick," Magnus said. "It gets messy."

"I can see how that's worse than the spit," Angron said.

"Indeed," Kurt said, still looking vaguely green. "I don't think I can keep up with you guys."

"There is nothing wrong with that," Angron assured him. "We're rather draining on normal people."

"Did you get the pirate leader, Father?" Horus asked.

"No," the Emperor said. "They escaped. Seems there was a personal craft that escaped while we were boarding."

"That's unfortunate," Horus said. 

"Can I kill the pirate leader, Father?" Angron asked. "Their punishment for attacking the Swift Runner?"

"You can watch," the Emperor said. "However, I will be taking care of the pirate leader."

"Alright," Angron said. "I can accept that."

"Do you understand why I didn't want you to go to Sparticus for this tournament?" the Emperor asked.

"Yes, Father," Angron said. "You were trying to keep me safe."

"Yes," the Emperor said. "It may feel restricting some times, but I want you safe. This tournament wouldn't have been that."

"That's why you ran away?" Kurt asked. 

"Yes," Angron said. "Father wouldn't let me go, but I wanted to."

"I can understand why you lied about who you are," Kurt said. "You didn't want us to send you back."

"Yes," Agron said again. "I also didn't want it to be awkward."

"Kaal has captured the pirate leader," the Emperor announced. He had just gotten the report. 

"Let's go," Angron said, looking excited. 

"Can I watch also?" Konrad asked. He had his own excited gleam.

"Yes," the Emperor said. He knew better than to try and keep Konrad away from watching someone get punished. 

That decided, they returned to the Imperator Somnium. Kurt came as well. The remainder of the crew of Swift Runner were there. The shipmistress had not survived, leaving Kurt as the senior officer. He was also quite happy that they took a shuttle back to the Imperator Somnium, instead of teleporting. 

Once aboard the Imperator Somnium, the Emperor, Konrad, and Angron headed off to the brig. Kurt stayed with the others, he had no desire to see the pirate leader. This did leave him in an odd situation. He had gotten comfortable with Angron, but now he was in the presence of other Primarchs, the Sigillite, and a Custodian. He wasn't sure what to do.

"You're doing just fine," Malcador assured Kurt, picking up on the officer's thoughts. "If you can get along with Angron, the rest of us are easy."

"Really, lord?" Kurt asked, surprised.

"Yes," Malcador said. "Angron has the shortest temper, it's part of how this ended up happening in the first place."

"He argued with the Emperor?" Kurt asked, still in shock.

"He is a son of the Emperor," Malcador said. "Children are bound to argue with their parents. Especially their fathers."

"He mentioned that his mother was dead," Kurt said, then pause, unsure if he should continue.

"He wasn't wrong," Malcador said. "They default to the Mount Everest when asked about their mother."

"Oh," Kurt said. 

"Let's rejoin you with the rest of your crew," Horus suggested. 

*******************

The crew of Swift Runner were waiting in a recreation hall. They were all on edge, and looked around sharply when the door opened. They looked between Kurt and Malcador. They didn't seem to know what to do.

"Where's And--- Lord Angron?" the vox officer asked, barely catching himself in time.

"He's insuring that the person responsible for the attack on Swift Runner is being punished," Kurt answered. "I assume he'll join us when that's over."

"Do you know what's going to happen to us?" the enginseer asked.

"Not yet," Kurt said, casting a glance at Malcador.

"That has yet to be determined," Malcador said. "The damage to Swift Runner is extensive."

"That is unfortunate," Kurt said. "Perhaps we can obtain another ship."

"I believe Angron will insist on it," Malcador said with a chuckle. "If he can, he might try to install you on a World Eaters ship."

"That would be an honor," Kurt said. The rest of his crew nodded their agreement.

The door opened again and the Emperor, along with Konrad and Angron entered. The crew of Swift Runner knelt as one. Angron stepped forward, looking a bit concerned.

"Don't kneel," Angron insisted. "You have shown your loyalty already."

"How?" the vox officer asked. "Lord."

"By not tossing me out an airlock," Angron said, trying to lighten the mood. He wasn't sure if he was successful. Fulgrim and Vulkan were the ones best known for making jokes. "And keeping me safe when the pirates attacked."

"We had taken you into our care," the enginseer said. "We would have been remiss if we had not tried to protect you."

"That is how you showed your loyalty," Angron said. "Even when you didn't know who I really am."

"What will become of us, lord?" Kurt asked, looking towards the Emperor. 

"We will take you back to Terra for now," the Emperor said. "I will instruct the Mechanicum to build a new ship for you to crew."

"Thank you lord," Kurt said.

"And the pirate threat in this sector?" the enginseer asked.

"Dealt with," the Emperor said. "There should not be any more issues."

"Excellent," the enginseer said. "This means that the loss of the Swift Runner had meaning."

******************

The journey back to Terra was uneventful. Angron tried to be very involved with both the crew of the Swift Runner and behave for the Emperor.  It confused the crew and amused the Emperor. The other Primarchs were trying to figure out what that meant. Malcador was of the opinion that it was Angron's way of apologizing. Arriving on Terra, the crew of the Swift Runner went their own way from the Primarchs. They were going to wait for their new ship at an Army base. Angron met them in the shuttle bay to make his final good-byes.

"It was good to meet all of you," Angron said.

"It was an honor to meet you, lord," Kurt said, fidgeting with the new braiding on his shoulder. He had been formally promoted to captain while en route back to Terra. He was still adjusting to the new uniform.

"You'll do fine," Angron said, trying to be supportive.

"Perhaps we will meet again someday," Kurt said. "And you can be an official guest on my ship."

"Instead of a stowaway?" Angron asked with a chuckle.

"I don't want to find you stowing away on my ship again," Kurt replied with a laugh of his own. 

"Angron," the Emperor called. "It's time for Shipmaster Kurt to leave."

"Yes, Father," Angron replied. He trotted away with a final wave towards Kurt. The crew boarded their dropship and left the Imperator Somnium.