" A mind without purpose will wander in dark places. “

Ravenor

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" " = talking and speaking

= author's pov

' ' = Thinking

(Meanwhile)= Spick, and pov change

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Chapter 5 

Darkness, that was the only thing Izuku could see as he lay awake in his bed. The room that had been given to him was caked in shadow along with the feeling of cold air flowing through the room. Izuku never in his life had ever laid on something so soft before. The mattress was practically as soft as a cloud, and yet didn’t womble even slightly. The room was very big, just as big or even bigger than his apartment back home. 

Abelard had escorted him to this room and left him to rest, promising food in the morning. But after everything Izuku had learned about where he was, he couldn’t sleep. He just laid in bed, wondering if he had finally lost his mind from Bakugo’s constant torment. Izuku laid there unmoving, asking himself if this feeling of floating was just him inside of a mental asylum. Maybe it was, or maybe not. He wouldn't know until he woke up to know if this was just some dream or a nightmare of a new reality he had barely awakened to. 

Then finally the thought spewing into his head stopped and any noise he heard became like static in his ears. Then as his weariness, and exgashation overtook him, he finally went to sleep. As all reality faded from view with the closing of his eyes. As his spirit was left to wander.

When he went to sleep Izuku surprisingly found himself dreaming but this was beyond anything he would call a normal dream. Even though dreams were unpredictable and crazy with any typical dream, this was not one of them. It went beyond the normal limits as if his mind was trying to recreate the place he floated through before waking up the rogue trader’s ship. Or maybe he was wandering it right now.

What he saw was the wax and wane of an endless realm of madness and heard only a cacophony of waves crashing into one another sounding more akin to screams than anything else. Then in one spot the walls of the realm seem to rise in a singular point as if something was beginning to poke through it. He then saw a massive tear in reality form as a vessel tear through the fabric of reality plunging itself into this sea of colors, and madness. 

Next he saw what he could only imagine as a continent size bird with thousands eyes as bright as suns stare down at the ship circling it. Its eyes began to shift and turn towards Izuku. And Izuku opened his eyes right before they caught sight of him. As he awoke with a start as sweat ran down his forehead as he looked around the room and yet… Found nothing out of place. 

There was a knock on the door to Izuku’s room. The sound made Izuku hurriedly get up in bed, dust off and straighten his clothes. As Abelard came into the room flanked by two other people pulling a cart. 

“ Hello, Good Morning, Izuku. Here is breakfast.” He said as he clapped his hands as the two servants behind him  pulling the cart went to work. Quickly they pulled out and set a bed tray to stand over the blankets right over his legs. They rushed back to the chart bringing back trays and trays of food setting them down with ultises. When they finished setting everything up, they pulled the cart to the side and waited patiently for Izuku to finish eating. 

Neither they nor Abelard noticed the shocked expression on Izuku’s face. As he could only stare in wonder and apprehansion at the strange food before him. They had given him a fork, spoon, and knife along with other cutlery to eat. 

“ I hope you enjoy the food, please eat up, you will need your strength… Is something wrong?” Abelard asked as he could see the hesitation in Izuku not knowing what was good or how to even use the cutlery.

“ Sorry Abelard it is just… I don’t know which is good or how to use the utensils… I’m sorry” Izuku said as he lowered his head in shame much to the surprise of Abelard. He was shocked for a second but gave a slight smile as he came over.

“ Here, your hands if you will. That is how you use them. If you are unsure of what is good let me give a recommendation… Try that over this. This is roasted seasoned groax it is very good and nutritious. “ Abelard said, bringing over a plate from the far right with meat that seemed similar to a beef steak. Yet he knew this didn’t come from a cow. The texture of the meat seemed scaly? While the meat was of a much darker texture. 

Right before eating he said thanks for the meal then began eating. As soon as the food hit Izuku’s mouth did he realize just how long it had been since he had eaten. He was starving and set about the meat like a ravenous hound. He slowed enough to retain some dignity and manners. He ate and ate until he was full and he felt he had eaten all he could. Seeing he was finished Abelard clapped his hands, setting the servants to work cleaning up. 

The servants quickly began to clean up. One was loading plates with leftovers onto the cart. While the other wipped Izuku’s face with a wet silk cloth, cleaning any food he missed from his face. They worked quickly and quietly before he could protest that was perfectly capable of doing that himself. Right before they finished picking all the food up one of their stomachs growled. It was as if a pin had been dropped or someone had done something horrible. 

The servants stopped for the moment fearing a punishment for interrupting or making a bodily noise in front of their superior. They had heard of the punishments others faced if they slipped up in front of noble guests. They closed their eyes as Izuku moved a hand fearing that he would hit them. Yet that was not what happened.

“... Here I’m finished. If you are hungry, you can have it.” He said offering the leftover food he hadn’t eaten on the plate to the servant. Abaelard raised a hand for a moment to stop Izuku for no one ever gives the serfs food unless it was meant to beterate or harm them. The servant was stunned for no noble or person would give them a meal such as this. Yet the smile the boy was giving was genuine. It was just as genuine as his mother’s had been once upon a time. 

Slowly the servant took the food, putting it into their mouth and then looked to Izuku fearing his mood would change and he would be punished. He instead smiled and offered the other servant who took it and ate it hesantialy like the other. They whispered a thank you to Izuku as he nodded. They ate the food quickly and then loaded the plates, and tray back onto the cart. As Izuku gave them a, “ Thank you,” Surprising the servants even more so for what noble’s child said thank you? What kind of Noble’s child said thank you to the serfs for working? They looked to Abelard for permission to leave who nodded bidding them farewell.

“ You are very kind Izuku.” 

“ It was nothing… It takes nothing to be kind.” Abelard smiled at the boy's words but then frowned for a second. Most didn’t have the luxury to be kind and it has undone many. It would be a lesson to be learned but for now all that mattered was having him fed and dressed. 

“ Come now, The Lord captain wishes to see you.” He said and before he knew it he had bathed, redressed and found himself being taken back to the all familiar office of the Rogue Trader Theodora. As he walked down that fimilar hallway with Abelard after leaving the elevator. 

After turning the corner into the office to see Theodora sitting at her desk going over paperwork and scowling at a letter sealed in wax that looked like a very chunky or skinny cross. She put the letter in a drawer when she noticed Izuku come in. There was something different about the room. The widow that had let him see the stars was now covered in giant metal binders from the outside. 

“ Ah, Izuku just on time. Please leave us Abelard and continue on with your other duties.” Abelard bowed and left the room nodding to Izuku as he left. As soon as he left Theodora beckoned him to sit down and so he did. Izuku sat in the chair in front of her desk, she sent aside her papers and addressed Izuku directly. 

“ Welcome back Izuku, how are you feeling?” She asked, looking him in the eye as if this was an interview or an interrogation. Her relaxed demeanor was like that of a tiger watching visitors and knowing the only thing keeping them safe was a glass barrier or the fact the tiger wasn’t hungry. And as Izuku met her gaze he had neither a glass barrier to hide behind nor the comfort of knowing the Lord captain wasn’t hungry or going to eat him.

“ I f-feel fine Ma’am. I mean Lord Captain. T-thank you for breakfast. “ Izuk tried not to stutter as he thanked Teodora. Theodora gave a chuckle at the display and cleared the top of her desk. She then brought out a checkerboard on top of what looked like a computer case. 

“ It is quite alright… Are you familiar with the game of regicide?” She asked, gesturing to the board.

“ No I don’t think I am. We have something similar. But I don’t know how to play.” He said slightly squirming in his chair embarrassed, as she gave a slight grin turning the board on.  As a hologram turned on showing massive giants in armor on one side and green beasts on the other. 

“ I’ll tell you how to play. Would you play a few rounds with me?” She asked, leaning back into her chair. The question itself didn’t sound like a question and the option of him refusing one she would not accept. She reminded him of one the few teachers who didn’t see him as lesser, only wishing to see him prove himself. If she wanted him to show his skill then he would, and nodded at her question. 

She gave a sly smile and pointed at the board. “ Very well let us begin.” 

What followed lasted hours as the two played regicide. She showed Izuku how to play and how the pieces moved, but let him learn on his own that each piece can do more than move them. After introductions they played for real. He would lose often and the divide between the two in their skills showed. Then more and more the losses the winner would have to give to win increased.

Until it was Izuku starting to win and even the score between the two. Until they tied for wins and loses and Izuku would win the game having to use every single piece to win. This upstart barely even started to play and was beginning to tie with a master. Some would say beginner’s luck but when you have been the Rogue trader as long as she has you begin to see luck differently.

“ That marks your victory checkmate…” Theodora said, turning off the board visibling sweating. It had been too long since anyone could match her in regicide. Few on the ship could challenge her in regicide and fewer had any chances of winning. She was glad her little test of his intelligence was correct; the apothecary bay had done a scan on him when he arrived.

Although lacking in physical strength apparently scans showed he was not lacking in intelligence despite being very young. Would that alone be enough to qualify for what she was offering, in most circumstances no, but these were normal circumstances. She addressed Izuku who was curious to Thedoroa’s change in attitude becoming more serious in tone as she addressed him.

“ Now then to the real reason I have called you here and asked you to play this little game.” She said as she pulled out medical reports. The reports were about everything from his blood type to muscle mass, and intelligence. “ You are clearly very smart and you learn quickly. That is a valuable skill to have and along with where you come from makes you even more valuable. You’re smart. not too smart but just smart enough.”

Izuku was confused and afraid at her tone of voice saying he was valuable. The words put him on edge at his importance or value. He became a afraid, was she going to sell him off? If he was so valuable was she going to sell him then? She quickly noticed this and put a hand up to calm him.

“ Clam yourself. Whatever wicked thing you are thinking I am going to do to you, stop. I am merely speaking of your qualities that make you qualified for what I am going to offer.” She said as she brought out a document, putting it to the side as Izuku finally spoke in a quiet voice. 

“ Then what are you offering?” He asked as she began to smile, the kind you would see on a tiger before eating. 

“ I am offering you the means by which you can find your homeworld little Gynt… You are a child lost adrift from a distant place and time in a galaxy without friends or family to aid you. A galaxy where numerous creatures fear and hate humanity and dwell in and between the stars. If you want even a chance of getting home or even finding it you will need my help.” She said as she got from her seat as a projector from when he first came in her office showed numerous images of all manner of creatures. She circled to Izuku holding the document from earlier in her hand.

“ I am offering you the chance to be a Rogue Trader, Lord captain. This ship, this crew, and my trade empire at your beckon and call to find your way home… If you accept, you would become one of my heirs and at the moment my only heir to the Rogue Trader title.” She said pointing back to the projections of the ships and her enormous holdings with untold riches and wealth. He saw the means in which maybe he could find a way home.

“ What would happen if I accepted the position of heir? Later on I would be made the Rogue Trader?” He said as Theodora shook her head to answer. 

“ I think you misunderstand. I am not offering you the position of my heir, I am offering the opportunity to learn how to become it. If you become my heir you would be first in line to inherit my ship and even more importantly my warrant of trade.” She pointed out to the hologram as a document adorned with a skull floated in the air. Izuku could make out some of the words that essentially gave whoever held the document total freedom to do as they wanted. It was so tempting total freedom, a place to stay in this foreign galaxy. 

Izuku held his hand back, even though he wanted to say yes and damn the consequences and just sign the document. Freedom, that was something he lacked even before he came to this place. Even if that night hadn’t come, what was there left for him back home? A life? As if for a quirkless person of no merit he would just be lucky to get by. He would have most likely been worked to death. Unlike most animes the west sees there would be no rebirth or isekai for him. This was his chance for something bigger but there had to be a catch, there always was.

“... Then what would be the catch?” He asked in a small voice. He knew there was a catch no deal this good didn’t come with one. She had to get something out of this otherwise it made no sense. He could by looking in her eyes she was not that kind.

“ Very well then, the catch is simple: your duties will be to the trade empire first and foremost… Should you accept you will become a Von Valanicus in name and blood continuing the bloodline. This would aid the continuation of the Von Valancius line seeing as of right now I am one of the if not the last Von Valancius, the rest have gone missing or been slaughtered.” She said pointing to the document, pointing out several lines as Izuku read them, confirming her words. 

If he accepted he wouldn’t just be a Midoriya but also a Von Valancius. Even if he accepted and somehow became the heir and by some small chance became the Rogue Trader, the chances of getting home were so miniscule he should abandoned the thought altogether. He wouldn’t but just for now set the idea aside for now.

“... I agree to your terms. Where do I sigh?” He asked, grabbing a pen looking at the document.

“ Right down here.” She said pointing where for him to sigh. He signed the paper putting down his former and new name. If he proved worthy he would be known as Izuku Von Valanicus. He would meet the conditions set forth and maybe one day get home.

“ What now?” He asked looking at Theodora

“ Now we make up for lost time.” She said as she beckoned him to stand as the two left for somewhere else. He looked up to her confused at what she meant. As the two walked to the Elevator Mort began walking behind the two as they went along.

“ What do you mean?” he asked confusedly what she meant.

“ To even be considered a candidate for my heir you will need training and skill that would take far too long to teach. So we will expedite the process.” 

“ How?” He asked as the two talked in the elevator with Mort close behind. She smiled before answering.

“ The same way you now know our language.” She answered before speaking into her voxcast making a call.

“ Magos, is the machine ready?” She asked as a filtered machinal voice answered back.

“+++_Affirmative_Lord_Captain_._The_machine_is_ready_for_you_._+++” As the two walked through the ship to the back near the engines. As the two got closer to the Engine the more and more the regular human crew the boy had grown used to seeing appeared less and less. Until all that appeared were the cyborgs in red robes, or worse those things they called Servitors. The things unnerved him every fiber of his being as they passed servitors after servitors doing work without so much as a sound that wasn’t the groaning of processors. Their pale dull eyes, at least those with eyes still. He looked into their eyes and could swear he could see them pounding on their irises trying to escape, screaming, begging for release that was not going to come anytime soon.

Izuku hadn’t realized he had stopped before Theodora called  him over to move. He moved away from the servitor following closely as he could, but as he moved away he swore he heard the thing that used to be a woman scream. She screamed! She begged. She cried for help… Yet, no one came. The only good thing was that as they moved away he heard the screams less and less. Until there nothing.

Before he knew it he was somewhere new. The air was dense with humidity in the air and the smell of oil and grease. Giant doors opened for their group as they walked into a secluded room from the rest of the room the Tech priests dwell in. This is a room only the highest in the ranks such as Thedora, and the head Enginseer Magos of the Tech priests have access to or even know what lies within this room. 

Several machines of different designs were inside. Yet there was one in the center. The machine was massive, the height was the combined height of two and half men. He couldn’t see behind it but he could see the servarus wires, tubes, and lights flashing on the machine. In the center of the machine was a built-in chair similar to the one you would see in a dentist's office. Except this one had several machines hanging over the area where he assumed the head would go.

Steam bellowed under their feet through grates on the flooring as they took a step closer. As they neared a person a bit taller than the other priests stepped forward their face a mess of cables coming in and out their artificial eyes. The cables ran out of the eyes covering much of the lower half of their face and coiled together going through what looks like a metal gas mask with a single opening where the cables were pooled into. The sight made Izuku’s spine chill, imagining all those cables going down his throat and still being able to speak. He stopped as soon as he felt a warm hand on his shoulder as he turned around.

“ Steady yourself Izuku for this will be done soon enough… Perhaps I should address you as heir now?” He turned around to see a familiar face, and her iconic white and red dress. Her white high ponytail spourting from behind her nurse’s cap. It was Praxis all the way from the Apothecary. She was the head Hospitaller or in other words the head medic from a religious order, at least that's what the knowledge they first put into his skull said.  Her stern voice was softer now, like a doctor who knows what is about to happen will be painful. Like giving a child a shot. She was flanked by her two servitors Adak and Lei 

“ No you won’t have to Mrs. Praxis. You would never have to if you didn’t want to. Besides, I don't know if I will become the heir… The machine may give me the chance of becoming one. I don't know whether or not I trust it, but what real choice do I have?” Izuku replied much to the Praxis’s enjoymeant of seeing polite and humble young man from her medical bay. She gave a soft smile as she replied.

“ I will stick to calling you Izuku until the day you become the Heir. However, until or if that day comes we must get through today.” She said as Izuku felt another hand on his back turning to face the head Magos of the ship. His face became struck with horror as he was given a closer look at their face. Then he heard their artificial voice coming from the port on their throat. 

“ +++_Query_Are_Subject_ 728_Otherwise_ Known. As_Izuku_?_+++” His rang clear yet distorted, each word making himself seem less and less human. As Izuku Meekly answered him.

“ Yes sir I am… What is your name?” He asked to make conversation and hopefully to warm up to him possibly.

“ +++ Inquiry_From_Subject_?_Allowed_?_” He asked himself aloud as his eyes dimmed for a second, like a computer bringing you the answer to your question. Then they returned as he answered. “+++_Answer_Inquiry_?_Permission_Granted_?_Permission_Granted.” The Tech peroist concluded as he turned to Izuku answering his question

“+++_I_Am_Adas_Tu-Juzzux_Tech-Perist_Enginseer_Dominis_…_Is_Inquiry_Satisfied_?_+++” He asked as the Mago’s eyes went dim again until he answered.

“ Yes thank you…” The Magos didn’t move and he didn’t know what to do until he replied,” Yes, my Inquiry is Satisfied.”

“+++_Accepted_Now_We_Can_Begin_+++” He said moving away, showing the machine Izuku first saw when he entered. While he was talking to Adas the servitors were getting the machine ready. It hummed with power and looked to be fully working. Praxis and her servitos were fiddling with medical equipment on the machine. While Adas and his servitors calibrated the machine. Izuku was left with so many questions about this machine and what was happening.

“ Impressive isn’t” He looked to the side to see Theodora standing next to him. 

“ Yes it but what is it and why show it to me?” He asked, growing more and more worried but keeping up a straight face.

“ This is a modified version of the device we use for the induction protocol… The first time it was used on you was to put the basic knowledge into your head but that was it.” She said tapping his head for emphasis. “ That was all it could do, but this one can do more.. If I had more time I could teach you everything you needed to know, but I am not and I feel you wish to get home sooner rather than later.” 

“ Will it hurt?” He asked her, still staring at the machine with unblinking eyes. She paused for a second and answered.

“... Yes it will… However the pain will outnumber the time and pain if we taught you without aid from the machine. If we used it to teach you what you need you will know the basics and be farther along in becoming my heir.” She said as the two continued to stare at the machine as it powered up. 

“... What if I don’t go that route?” He asked Thedora in a small voice causing her to look at him. She could tell he already knew the answer, but wanted to confirm it with her. She smiled slightly seeing he was learning.

“ Could take years for you to learn everything you would need to know before I could even consider you a candidate for my heir… I was not a young woman when I became the Rogue Trader. I had more than a few gray hairs when I became the Rogue Trader.” She replied driving the fact of how long it may take, and let his mind run wild with how long that may be to get where he wanted to be. 

“... When can we start?” He asked his eyes hollow in realization and acceptance. Theodora smiled as she replied, seeing things going her way.

“ Right now,” she answered as the machine hummed and glowed with the Tech priests chanting, raising and lowering with the machine's hum and glow. Before he knew it he was back in a medical gown laying down on bed connected to the machine. The machine itself was similar to that of an MRI machine. He was laying down as Praxis and her servitors attached nodes and senors to his head. Izuku looked up to the stalwart Praxis as she slipped an IV into his forearm as she strapped Izuku down onto the bed.

“ Everything is prepared… And ready to go.” She said as the bed was pulled into the machine as it began to hum. 

“ Let it be done,” he whispered in a low voice as the bed clicked into place with Izuku on top, cylinders began to twist and turn with the hum of the machine as it bega to open up Izuku’s mind. The feeling was neither unpleasant or comfortable, but more like the self, and being left completely exposed to a sort of ethereal light. Everything within Izuku, his thoughts, memories, and ideas laid bare for them to see. 

Theodora smiled seeing the new machine work as intended. It only took a lot of resources, xeno technology and finding a Tech Priest willing to do as she asked. This machine was a more modified version. It could be used to do more than a standard induction protocol device thanks to Eldar wraith bone, technology from extentic xeno species, and salvaged technology from the dark age of technology. It was beyond useful and would make training future heirs much easier. It would force his body through a sort of rapid whiplash as if he wet through the training in a moment. However the means to impart such knowledge was not without cost. 

‘ Not without cost,’ she repeated to herself in her head as she looked at the console and to the machine. She saw three shapes strapped to the back, as tech adepts swarmed and scrambled around them taking readings. Cables ran through the back as three mechadendrite arms stretched out back, made from steel and human spines acting as cables for the biological information. Three spikes made of a strange materal that seemed to look like bone yet were as strong as any metal. The spikes lowered down as they pierced through the craniums of the three people strapped to the back of the machine. Each one gave a throating retching scream, and yet as they screamed out in agony no sound came out. Thedora couldn't hear them but she could tell they were in agony by the look on their faces. 

‘ Should have known better,’ she thought to herself as she looked down at the three people strapped to the machine. It was fruitless to scream; they had neither tongues nor vocal cords to do so. She had ordered them removed for this operation. She didn’t want her soon-to-be heir spooked by their agony filled screams. They had deserved worse than this but they would be more useful in this case then any pleasure she would have gotten from their continued agony filled existences. 

The three had once been part of rentuie, but also the reason why a Lord Inquisitor had her by the metaphorical balls. At least one of them, but the others had slighted her in sarvious ways. Yet inside each of their combined heads  was the knowledge a young rogue trader could use.

They had been her Emissary, Xeno hunter, and executioner. They were among the last few living remnants of the traitorous bastards in her crew. If her current spy master Konrad wasn’t as useful as he was alive, he may have found himself strapped to this machine as well.

She stopped herself from continuing that line of thought as the machine began to do its work. As the very knowldge inside their head was sucked from their gray matter by wraith bone drills in their heads.They shook and spasmed as blood poured from their ears, eyes, and nose. The process melting their brains as every bit of knowledge was taken from them.

Their personality, feelings, personality was then filtered from the knowledge in their heads. The process required living subjects or recently deceased brains with little to no decay.  

The Magos combed over for various knowledge from the collected data Thedora thought was needed. First thing taught or rather downloaded into Izuku’s head was Etiquette. Then basic knowledge on the universe and xeno species in their sector of the galaxy. The last one was combat, how to fight with everything from a blade to a gun. He would have the know how but would require him to actually use it for him acclimate to it and expading what he could do further. 

One by one the information was funneled into Izuku’s head. As the machine was connected to his mind all he saw was a white void, similar and yet different from the last void he found himself floating within. He seemed to be floating and when he tried to move found himself unable to move from the spot he was planted in, only able to turn and stare ahead. Slowly the void began to fill as everywhere around him was filled with images and flashes of faceless people and unknown voices. Each image, each faceless person was replaced with his face and form as his voice overlapped the others, each image overlapping in his mind. As their knowledge was forcibly pushed into his head.

He would learn, but at a great cost. His instructor would be Pain, and it was a teacher unlike any other. As he laid there for a few more hours until the transfer was complete. Then the real training would begin as Izuku would practice his new found skills. 

While Theodora began to save her Trade Empire, others sought to tear it down while it was weak. While most would say the crew lived on the upper decks that wasn’t entirely  true. Imperial ships were made to house thousands of crew members. The upper portion were for the crew that mostly actually mattered while below lived several tribes of humans that decadanted from the original crew and those thrown in to replace them. They would maintained different parts of the ship. These tribes have lived and died here for generations. Each tribe worshiped a different part and aspect of the ship, they would go as far as to make war on the other tribes in small holy wars.

Between the upper and lower decks operatives came to meet together. They were anxious to say the least, the eagerness to fight filled the air. They spoke in low wrisphers to one another as they waited for the master to show. As a door opened and someone walked in.

“... Reports.” A cold emotionless voice asked as they took a seat in a chair pulled out at the table they were using at the moment. One by one of his underlings came forward with reports of their tasks. 

“ Yes, Master… I have returned with news of success with our recruiting efforts with the ship gangs. Many of them are eager to rise to the upper lives and overthrow their masters.” The first of the underlings reported speaking out. The master smiled at this. They had been working on recruiting their numbers for years now and now they finally had them. Yet the master noticed something on the underling’s face. Yes he could sense it there was something more to this and with a frown dug for more answers.

“... Is there anything else you wish to tell me?... Anything you have perhaps failed to mention?” The master asked, striking fear into the underling as he stuttered in reply. He had hoped to have a moment to say the unfortunate news. 

“ We have recruited the gang's numbers to our cause. However there have been complications, Master.” He said, dropping his head down looking to the ground. 

“... Explain.” the master asked as another servant piped up in explanation.

“ IT WAS THOSE THREE-ARMED MUTANT FUCKERS,” Realzing his ruddness for speaking out of turn sat back down.” Uhmmm sorry sir, Master for yelling. “ He apologized for his outburst, correcting himself before he would dispease his master further.

“ We tried to recruit all the mutants to our cause. These ones tricked us into believing they would join. They nearly killed us all when we found out their true plans. They worship some sort of star gods calling themselves children of the stars. They want to take over the ship and they have numbers, maybe even more than we do.”

The master was quiet; this was not what he wanted to hear. As he looked at the report his underling and the losses these children of the star inflicted on them. He knew it would be a lost cause to try and beat them into submission. They would fight until the end with countless numbers and monsters to throw at his forces. They would need to be dealt with sooner or later but for now this would do.

“ Hold them back until we can take the ship and then we will deal with them. How many will you need?” The master asked as the underling grew quiet again and worry came into his face again.

“ Keeping them back will require more men for the task. However they are not the only threat my lord… In the depths there is a clan of corpse throne worshippers and they are deadly beyond measure. Our efforts to persuade or force their allegiance has yielded nothing more than death.” The master grew quiet and clenched his throne with anger at their mention. He knew a clan of death dealers of that class lurked  within the ship. He had thought them dead for a while. He suspected them dead, killed by the monsters that lurk in the depths. Another problem to be solved.

“ I see… I will be sending men to your operations to deal with these intruders. Also I’m not offering them, I'm telling you to take them. We will take the ship soon and then deal with these rats.” This caused the others to grow uneasy at the mention of further deviation from the plan set out for them. They knew even their master answered to someone and he had already deviated from the plan set out. He wasn’t supposed to have killed the other heirs already.

“ ENOUGH, you gawking bastards! I am in charge and you will do as I say!” He shouted, slamming his fist into his chair arms. The servant bowed their heads in submission, while simply raising his hand to catch his attention. “ WHAT?!” He roared causing the servant to flinch. 

“ Master, what of the rumors of the Lord Captain picking a new heir?” The servant asked meekling in the face of his master’s growing rage. Who started to calm swallowing his anger and turned to the servant 

“... I already have something to take care of that… Do you understand?” He asked his rage seemliying gone as he smiled looking at the servant. 

“ Yes I do th-” A bang rang throughout the secret meeting room as the master blew the servant’s brain out with a stub gun. He holstered his gun looking around at the table.

“ Anyone else?... No? Then get to work.” As the servants went about their tasks fleeing the room. He sat in his chair pondering his next move, as the idea of a new heir wandered into his mind. He shook the idea off as soon as it entered his mind. Let another heir come; they will meet the same fate as the rest of them. Come one or a thousand he will kill them all just as he killed every single one