Navigator Captain Nathaniel Torban Chapter 1, a warhammer fanfic

Navigator Captain Nathaniel Torban

Points = 81

Equipment = Bolt Pistol (Wolf Blaze) and reload, M.I.U., Power Sword with Pentagrammic Ward (Holy Path), Torban Cruiser (Path Blazer).

Points = 29.5

Special Abilities = Force of Will.

Points = 5

Enclosed Space – Due to a lifetime of fighting in the confined spaces of Ships Alleyways, Nathaniel has developed an uncanny sense of judging distances and of how to use the cramped conditions to his own advantage. When Nathaniel is shooting or engaged in close combat in a corridor or similar enclosed space, his WS and BS increase by + 10. (Points 5)

Cruiser – Nathaniel is a Ships Master and his primary task is to captain his ancient starship, and he has earned the respect and love of the Path Blazer that is envied by the techpriest that serve the great vessel. Due to this unique relationship with his ship whenever Nathaniel becomes unconscious, there is a chance that the Path Blazer will detect its Master plight and transport him aboard on the roll of a 6 on a D6 in an effort to save him. In the next turn after he was transported, Nathaniel may transport back down to the location he was transported from on the roll of a double 6 on a 2D6 completely restored. There is only one chance of this happening during a game. (Points 5)

Get off my ship! - On the occasions when the Path Blazer has been invaded Nathaniel usually chooses to face the enemy and expel them from his ship personally. However on occasion the invaders have proved to numerous or powerful to face, he races to one of the ships Data Ports and orders sections of the ship sealed and vented into space. During games on board the Path Blazer (use space hulk board pieces), Nathaniel can seal off any one corridor and vent it into space, killing all in that corridor unless they are wearing suits able to protect them from the emptiness of space. Nathaniel must first reach any Data Port on the ship (4, placed randomly) and then on the next turn roll a 5+ on a D6. He can then seal and vent one corridor. He may only vent one corridor per game, but when at the Data Port he can try as many times as he wants to succeed. This action can only be used when you roll the 5+, it can not carry over into other turns. After venting the corridor will re-pressurise. (Points 5)

Psychic Powers = None

Points = 0

Armour = Carapace Armour (6) over chest, abdomen and groin.

Heavy Coat (2) over legs and arms.

Points = 20

Handedness = Right, Speed = 4, Basic Jump Value = 3, Base Injury Value = 6,

System Shock Value = 12, Consciousness Value = 30, Encumbrance Value = 110,

Total Weight Carried = 80, Knockback Value = 6, Total Points Value = 138.5 (143.5) (148.5) (153.5)

Nathaniel Torban is the 78 year old son of 2 Navigators. Born on the massive asteroid fortress, which is the Torban's family headquarters. He has been the Master of the Torban Cruiser `Path Blazer` for 48 years, and has served aboard the vessel for 66 years. Despite having Navigators for parents, Nathaniel doesn't possess the ability to navigate vessels through the Warp, or even any mutations. At present Nathaniel possesses 2 sacred weapons, the Bolt Pistol Wolf Blaze, and the Pentagrammically Warded Power Sword Holy Path.

The Torban House.

The Torban Navigator House, like all the other Navigator Houses, is ancient. Stretching back to when the Navigators and their Houses were first created. At present the House is still in a phase of self pennants after being almost destroyed by a Chaos incursion almost 6000 years ago. Before that time the House was amongst the most powerful of Houses in the Solar system, ruling a mini empire from their asteroid fortress inside the asteroid belt, with fleets and massive shipyards at its disposal.

After the incursion, all but one yard was completely destroyed and their fleet was reduced to a handful of ships after the brief conflict that engulfed their fleet in an orgy of self-destruction. Since that time the House has maintained the status that it was reduced to voluntarily believing that the God Emperor has brought them low for a reason that they couldn't understand.. The Torbans have remained on their asteroid fortress, their one shipyard maintaining their small fleet of 8 cruisers and 1, 8000 year old Battleship, and 40 Merchantmen. During this time, the Torban House has devoted an inordinate amount of time in worship to the God Emperor that almost rivals the Ecclesiarchy, as well as training and study. Making sure that they will never be weak against the forces of Chaos again. Torban navigators are easily recognisable from their counterparts in other families, forgoing the extravagance and comforts that their massive wealth affords for a near monastery like existence. Wearing plain brown robes, eating plain almost bland food and spending nearly all their time training as a form of prayer, and then praying when they finish training. All members of the Torban House staff are from pledged families that have been trained in a variety of different combat styles as a means of worship, and have been part of the Torban House since its founding and are loyal to the House beyond all else, save the Emperor. Due to the now small size of Torban assets it has been considered easy prey by the larger Houses, and a number of Trade wars have been waged against the Torbans, with the aim of taking lucrative trading contracts from this relatively small, and some what odd House. However, the Torbans have never been found wanting by their rivals and have beaten back every attack against them, making the cost of subduing the Torbans far too costly even for the richest and most powerful of the Navigator Families, using their superior training, inspirational skill, and their greatest weapon, their unshakable faith to mercilessly cut down those that would try to take what is rightfully theirs.

The Torbans have always been unusually faithful to the God Emperor. Due to this they have an unprecedentedly `fair` relationship with the Holy Inquisition. Inquisitors have been welcomed repeatedly onto the Asteroid Fortress with open arms, and viewed as holy man bearing words from the Emperor himself. On several occasions those of the holy Ordos have used Torban ships for their missions against those that oppose mankind, and the Navigators have taken their ships into the most turbulent areas of the warp that other Navigators wouldn't, they do this with a near fanatical zeal and complete fearlessness, on occasion charging headlong into the very core of the most turbulent warp storms in the hope that the Master of Mankind would see and judge the Torbans worthy of his forgiveness. Astonishingly, the strength of Torbans Navigators faith have seen them emerge from these storms with their mission complete on every occasion.

Nathaniel Torban was born to Navigator parents, however he himself isn't a navigator. In fact he is a genetically pure human being, the first ever born in the midst of a Navigator house hold. The Torbans took this to be a sign from the Emperor that they are nearing the end of their pennants and are close to earning the God Emperors forgiveness. Given Nathaniel's human state, it was decided that he wouldn't have to remain isolated from the general population of humanity, and as such he has benefited from a Navigators wealth and education and a humans ability to move relatively freely and with out notice. During Nathaniel's education he became extremely proficient in a number of Melee and Ranged combat techniques, as well as excelling in real space navigation, space technology, machine spirit empathy, and tactical space combat. Considering Nathaniel's aptitude for these subjects, it was decided that he was to become an apprentice ships master at the age of 12, and was assigned to the Torban cruiser `Path Blazer`. After 18 years of service studying, training, and preying, broken only by daemon incursions into the weak minded aboard and when the Geller Fields were overwhelmed, Nathaniel became the Path Blazers master. This occurred after the ship was overrun by Chaos, and the command crew was killed. Nathaniel led what was left of the ships crew and Armsmen against the invaders. The few functional pic-screens capturing heroic images of this charge against Chaos and they were used to re-enforce faith throughout the Solar System and beyond.

Nathaniel has now been in command of the Path Blazer for 48 years. Transporting Navigators to and from assignments throughout the Imperium of Man, and participating in wars throughout the Galaxy fighting alongside the Imperial Navy when he found his ship blockaded within an embattled star system.

Nathaniel now carries with him into battle his two most prized possessions, the two gifted weapons are the bolt pistol `Wolf Blaze` and the Pentagrammically warded power sword `Holy Path`.

Nathaniel received the bolt pistol `Wolf Blaze` during a routine transportation mission to an Imperial Navy Dry Dock in an area of space protected by the Space Wolves, to deliver a number of Navigators. After delivering members of his family to facilities in orbit, and just as he was about to take the ship from orbit and into open space, a large fleet of warships bearing the brands of chaos exited into normal space, it would later be learned that this was a massive multi-pronged assault against the Space Wolves orchestrated by their ancient enemies the traitor marines of Magnus the red.

Every Imperial ship immediately went to action stations and prepared to defend the system. Nathaniel instantly brought his ship into formation with the rest of the Imperial battle fleet and requested permission to aid the defence.

After 3 days of combat that raged throughout the system. The two opposing fleets became bogged down in a stalemate. The `Path Blazer` featured heavily in the fighting accounting for the destruction of 4 frigates, 2 cruisers and trapping a battleship in orbit of a gas giant, that resulted in the ships eventual crashing and destruction.

All loyal ships breathed a sigh of relief when reinforcements arrived in the form of 3 strike cruisers and a battle barge that belonged to the Space Wolves Chapter.

True to fashion, the Space Wolves tore into the system wide combat with a vengeance and succeeded in reaching the besieged Imperial lines 2 day later. Minus one of the strike cruisers.

At this time, the `Path Blazer` was returning to the safety of the Lines after a successful sortie when they detected a faint Imperial vox transmission in the L-ridge point between the 5th planet and its moon. After getting closer to within Auspex range, Nathaniel was able to determine that the transmissions origin was the missing strike cruiser. Apparently after boarding and setting demo charges within one of the chaos warships, the charges detonated before the Space Wolves could reach a safe distance. The resulting explosion disabled the strike cruisers main engines, without them, and being so close to a large planetary body, the cruiser wasn't able to escape or achieve a stable orbit and so manoeuvred into the relatively safe area of the L-ridge point to make repairs.

Unfortunately, the `Path Blazer` wasn't the only ship to detect its transmission, 4 frigates belonging to the ruinous powers were also on route.

Nathaniel ordered his ships engines to maximum and managed to reach the strike cruiser just as the frigates did. Nathaniel manoeuvred his ship personally via his M.I.U. for over 8 hours, expertly keeping his ship in the weapons blind spots and auspex gaps of his 4 foes and eventually destroying them. Nathaniel however wasn't able to prevent the frigates lunching a score of boarding torpedoes and flights of Stormhawks at the stricken space marine ship.

After the Frigates were dispatched by the `Path Blazer`, Nathaniel organized his own boarding parties and docked with the strike cruiser immediately, since the cruiser had lost communications shortly after being boarded.

Nathaniel led the team himself, heading straight to the bridge from memory during his studies of Spacecraft architecture. Meeting little resistance at first the team made steady head way, until they got closer to the strike cruisers main bridge, where the majority of the fighting was taking place. After about an hour of hit and run raids behind the chaos lines, Nathaniel managed to get his team through the fighting and reach the first lines of defence for the bridge.

Nathaniel approached the ships master `Barjon` and appraised him of the situation in the immediate area of local space, and offered assistance in recapturing the ship, which Nathaniel learned was called `Wrath of the Wolf`. Barjon tasked Nathaniel with re-enforcing the engine room, and clearing a route between it and the warp reactor.

It took Nathaniel's team over 2 hours to fight their way down to the engine room, they faced and cut down no less than 90 cultists that were holding down strong points along the ships alleyways. Daemons were everywhere, the cultists that found a space large enough started performing rituals to summon the servants of the warp onto the ship, luckily they hadn't formed into packs, and the team was able to dispatch them quickly and move on before the fighting drew the attention of more daemons. At one encounter the team came across daemons under the command of an actual chaos space marine. The fight that followed was fierce, and it didn't finish until Nathaniel emptied every shot from his las pistol into the marines face after it was knocked back by a grenade detonating against it's breast plate fired from another member of his boarding party.

As Nathaniel and his team approached the engine room they started to hear the sounds of a huge fight taking place. The howls of the Space Wolves were competing with the sounds of battle as bolt pistols were fired, chain swords revved, and people screamed in both pain and joyous ecstasy.

By the time that Nathaniel entered the engine room with his team, it was hard to tell friend from foe, as the fighting had already degenerated into a massive melee that encompassed the entire engine room. The Space Wolves were holding off at least 6 or 7 cultist each by themselves and were steadily driving them back, as Nathaniel ordered his heavy weapon handlers to take up positions on the upper lever walkways, so that they could fire downwards into the mass of fighting bodies unhindered, larger chaos branded figures started approaching the swirling mass of bodies. Chaos Marines joined the fray, knowing that their dark gods would be watching. The Space Wolves were set upon with renewed vigour now that the cultist champions had arrived, and the Wolves were starting to be cut down. Just as Nathaniel was to order his men to form ranks, one of the wolves was thrown into the air and against the bulkhead Nathaniel was standing next too. As the marine was picking himself up, a screeching laughter caught Nathaniel's attention and he looked to his side and watched a demoniacally possessed sword slam straight through the marine and into the bulkhead behind him. A twisted face appeared on the blade and started to laugh again as it drank the blood flowing from the Marines wounds.

Above all this noise and the mayhem, Nathaniel heard, as clearly as the church bell back at the Fortress, the sound of something cluttering to the deck by his feet. A bolt pistol was lying there, probably dropped by the marine as he died. Nathaniel picked it up and it felt right in his hands, oversized obviously, but remarkably easy to grip. He glared at the laughing sword, levelled the pistol and fired. The sword shattered as the explosive round detonated against it, and the daemon vanished screaming into the warp. An unknown rage filled Nathaniel as he watched the marine fall; he levelled the pistol at the nearest traitor and shouted at the top of his lungs to his men. Fire!

In the few seconds that it took for all that to happen, the Wolves had been pushed back to the far wall, and this new attack on the chaos warriors flanks was the respite the Wolves needed to hold on. Nathaniel and the men around him fired a wall of hot metal and pulsing laser into the cultists, forcing the chaos marines to recognize them as a threat, and a number of them charged towards Nathaniel and his team.

After a few paces the Chaos Marines stared to drop, as explosive rounds exploded in their chests from heavy bolters, and holes were burned through them by man portable las cannons and multi-meltas as Nathaniel's expert heavy weapon handlers got into position and opened fire. The last of the advancing marines fell at Nathaniel's feet as his head exploded from a bolt fired from the bolt pistol Nathaniel was holding.

The remaining Wolves had turned the tide, and with Nathaniel's help and that of his men the remaining traitors where cut down. Nathaniel left the Spaces Wolves to rebuild their defences, and moved out to secure his second objective, a path to the ships warp reactor. Which was luckily only populated by tech-marines and servitors. Nathaniel deployed his men to defend these spaces and they were successful for 7 hours, until Barjon's voice came over the ships PA stating that chaos had been routed ship wide, a massive feeling of relief fell over Nathaniel and his men, raising their spirits and giving renewed energy after the almost complete day of combat. Nathaniel and his men were told to stay at their positions until relieved.

10 minutes later Barjon entered the engine room. Nathaniel looked down at the bolt pistol he was still holding and walked over to the veteran marine. He was told to report and did so while standing next to his counter-part in the Space Wolves, the leader of the squad defending the engine room. After reporting Nathaniel held out the pistol to Barjon and he took it, looked at the squad leader, who nodded and then told Nathaniel that he was dismissed and could return to his ship. Nathaniel said he and his men would leave immediately and then remain on station to escort the Strike cruiser to the Imperial Lines under its own power. An hour later, both ships were under way and inbound to the relative safety of the Imperial Naval base.

It took another month of fighting to remove the chaos fleet from the system, and the Space Wolves were still fighting on the outer planets to remove the taint from them. The `Path Blazer` had been released from her duties for the Imperial Navy and was proceeding outwards when she was ordered to stop by the `Wrath of the Wolf`, which was approaching from ahead.

Barjon requested an audience, which was granted immediately, and a Thunderhawk was dispatched as soon as the `Wrath of the Wolf` manoeuvred alongside. Nathaniel organized a full honour guard; consisting of the Armsmen he took with him onboard the Cruiser, in their full, characteristically subtle ceremonial battledress. Nathaniel greeted the space marine at the head of his men and noticed that Barjon was holding a beautifully crafted wooden box. Barjon held it out to Nathaniel saying it was a sign of gratitude for Nathaniel's bravery in coming to the `Wrath of the Wolfs` aid, and that such actions deserved notice. Nathaniel accepted the box and opened the lid. Instantly he recognised the bolt pistol that he'd used against the chaos marines, it had been cleaned and repaired, but Nathaniel knew it was the same weapon when he hefted it in his hands and felt the same sense of right that travelled from the weapon and into his hand. Barjon was explaining how he had been monitoring the fight in the engine room and felt that the way the pistol had landed at Nathaniel's feet seemed like destiny had played a hand in delivering the weapon. He'd discussed it with the squad leader from the engine room, who had accompanied Barjon onto the `Path Blazer`, and he'd agreed that the pistol seemed more at home in Nathaniel's hands.

Barjon finished the presenting of the Bolt Pistol by insisting that the `Wrath of the Wolf` escort the `Path Blazer` out of the system, so that he, his escorts and Nathaniel and his crew could share the trip drinking the Fenris Ale that was being unloaded from the Thunderhawk. The 2 hour trip was filled with the drinking of ale, Barjon recommended a 30 to 1 dilution to allow Nathaniel's men to drink the ale safely, the telling of stories from both crews, and the forging of a strong friendship between the two ships and their crews.

Since that encounter Nathaniel has always been the courier of Torban Navigators to Imperial Naval Bases within the Space Wolves domain, and the `Path Blazer` has reaffirmed it's friendship with the `Wrath of the Wolf` whenever possible. To date having to fighting alongside each other on only one other occasion. When they both liberated the Agri-world of Qaton. The Path Blazer helping to secure the star system. The Wolves securing the Planet.

Nathaniels power sword `Holy Path` was also a gift like Nathaniels bolt pistol, and was presented to him by a member of the Ordo Malleus. The `Path Blazer` had received a message from a Malleus Inquisitor after picking up a Torban Navigator for transport back to their asteroid home. This Inquisior requested transportation to Terra, and when he came onboard, he was greeted with the appropriate reverence and respect that the Torbans always extended to those people that represented the God Emperor.

The Inquisitor kept mostly to himself during the journey, only being seen when he exited his cabin for the mess hall, and once to join those that were praying in the ships chapel.

When transiting past the currents that surround the eye of terror the `Path Blazer` was shaken hard for several minutes and the Geller Field defending the ship was tested to its limits. The ship was exiting the area and the disturbances abating when the ship was hit by a force of truly epic proportions. Small gaps appeared in the vessels defences and Nathaniel immediately brought his ship to Action Stations. Nathaniels next action was to immediately order his ship to exit the warp and enter normal space where they would be relatively safe from demonic incursions into the ship. Unfortunately, the ship didn't respond. Nathaniel learned from the ship that the evil forces of chaos had managed to breach the ship and take command of the warp drive engines. This meant that the forces invading the Path Blazer weren't just primitive chaos spawn, but intelligent demonic entities that will undoubtedly have a specific objective that will serve the cause of their dark masters.

All throughout the `Path Blazer`, the ships crew were preparing to defend their vessel, Armsmen teams were going to their strong defensive points throughout the ship. Techpriests were securing their stations and saying preys to the great ship that was transporting them, imploring the machine spirit to remain strong and rebuild its defences. The `Path Blazers` Navigator, Nathaniel's younger sister `Bowa` inside her sealed navigational blister, immediately altered course to head for the nearest area of low turbulence. The other Navigators will be arming themselves and sealing themselves within the warded, and shielded area of the ship dedicated and purposed as the Navigators quarters and the crews last fall back position, and then started kneeling and preying to Him-on-Earth.

Nathaniel moved to meet up with his elite first Armsmens squad, the veteran personal who Nathaniel lead against chaos just before he was given command of the `Path Blazer`. Nathaniel's squad, and the 4 other roaming squads that made up the elite core of the small army that defends the `Path Blazer`, went on the hunt.

Finding and destroying the small groups of monsters that were stalling their advance to the warp engine chambers was proving to be a problem. No serious effect had been made by the daemons to take the ship or any members of the crew, and considering the bright psychic sparks kneeling in the centre of the ship, this behaviour fell outside of the norm. At least normal behaviour as far as daemons are concerned.

After 3 hours of sporadic skirmishes, a report reached Nathaniel from second squad that a bipedal humanoid daemon, armed with a large laughing sword, and a second similar daemon of smaller stature were making their way towards the crew accommodations. An odd move, since that area of the ship can be jettisoned at any moment, and with the entire crew on alert, it was deserted. Apart from possibly one person. Nathaniel ordered all his squads to move around the warp chamber and create a defensive perimeter to contain anything else that came from the warp chamber, while his squad pursues the daemons, while also trying to get into contact with the Inquisitor.

Unfortunately, the Inquisitor couldn't be reached in time and Nathaniel and his squad found the Inquisitor defending himself against the pair of monsters. Nathaniel ordered his squad to lay down a wall of fire between the Inquisitor and his attackers. This allowed Nathaniel to get close and pull the Inquisitor back towards his squad. As the Inquisitor was pulled to relative safety, the Daemons yelled a combined scream of rage and hate. This was obviously some form of daemon spell craft, as Nathaniel felt the power hit and almost brake through the bulwark of devotion and faith that shielded Nathaniel's mind and soul. Nathaniel's squad weren't so lucky. They all stopped shooting, all the blood drained from their faces, and they all collapsed. The wall of fire dissipated and the daemons resumed their charge against the Inquisitor. Nathaniel steeled himself, drew his ornate, beautifully crafted chain sword, and then reached into his coat and pulled out a beautiful bolt pistol and sensing that familiar righteousness, levelled the weapon and allowed `Wolf Blaze` to voice it hatred at the daemons. The Inquisitor, already with his halberd in his hands stood and levelled his left hand at the daemons. A ripple of force tore down the alleyway, knocking the daemons back, he then charged forward and a blue force of energy and mental will power tore up and down the blade of the Inquisitors halberd. Nathaniel also charged forward, supporting the Inquisitor. The fight was a tense thing. Nathaniel and the Inquisitor fought side by side against the daemons. Nathaniel cut deeply into the smaller daemon with his chain sword, but the wounds healed almost instantly, but Nathaniel was holding his own. The Inquisitor was having more luck, his Force weapon cutting deeply and the wounds healing slowly. Suddenly, the smaller daemon grabbed Nathaniel's blade, ruining its hand and most of it upper arm but holding the blade fast. The chain sword started to rot. Tendrils of corruption and decay were spreading up the blade and had nearly reached the hilt when Nathaniel released his grip and took a step back, firing `Wolf Blaze` into the daemons chest, causing it to stager back. The Inquisitor lashed at the daemon and once again summoned himself and released a wave of force down the alleyway. Pushing the daemons back again for a few seconds. The Inquisitor took a sword from his belt and tossed it to Nathaniel, and as one the pair of Imperial servants launched themselves at the daemons again. Nathaniel's opponent had removed the chain sword from its arm which was slowly turning to dust on the deck. Its arm was healing and then stopped as Nathaniel swung at the monster. Nathaniel pressed his advantage, the daemon seemed to have weakened and seemed slower in its movement. Nathaniel's thumb brushed a small activation rune on the hilt and Nathaniel realised that this was a power sword. He activated it and the blade immediately became enveloped in a blue energy field that also now displayed the name of the weapon on the blade, `Holy Path`. Nathaniel moved in and cut into the daemon anew. The monster screamed with rage and hate at every cut. Nathaniel spotted a hole in the daemons defences and he struck. Nathaniel cut and removed both of the daemons legs in one fluid movement, he then turned the blade and cut off the daemons right arm at the shoulder as it started to fall to the deck. Nathaniel stood over the daemon for a second as it lay on the deck and then struck off its head. Nathaniel turned and took the 2 steps to where the Inquisitor was still battling his opponent valiantly. Nathaniel cut off the sword arm of the daemon, who then stuck out with its good arm knocking Nathaniel down the alleyway, and for a critical moment presenting its back to the Inquisitor. This gave the Inquisitor the opportunity he needed. The tip of his halberd appeared in the daemons chest and blue bolts of energy crackled all around the dark monsters body just before it lost integrity and exploded, its dark being screaming back into the warp and its empyrean bodily remains slowly dissolving as they ran down the bulkheads of the alleyway. Nathaniel immediately contacted the bridge for a status report. No daemonic entities had tried to escape from the warp engines chamber, and reports had started coming in saying that warp entities were returning to the warp. Nathaniel ordered that the warp engines be secured and that the ship should return to normal space. Nathaniel then deactivated the power sword, knelt and started preying.

A large jolt signalled that the `Path Blazer` had exited the warp and had re-entered normal space. Nathaniel got to his feet turned to the Inquisitor and found him preying as well. Nathaniel put the power sword down next to him and headed to the `Path Blazers` bridge to begin the process of accessing his ship for damage and casualties now that the ship was safe.

2 hours later, Nathaniel's ship was put back to rights and all those that had been injured in the attack had been transported to the Medicare chambers, including those of 1st squad. The `Path Blazer` was about to re-enter warp space when the Inquisitor came onto the bridge and ordered the `Path Blazer` to hold position. The Inquisitor asked to see Nathaniel in his office.

This man then introduces himself as Inquisitor Dembski of the Ordo Malleus. The Daemon Hunters. Nathaniel has dealt with the Inquisition and is surprised when this Inquisitor informs Nathaniel of what was going on. Apparently, Inquisitor Dembski routed a serious chaotic incursion on Cadia, and that he personally laid low the daemon prince who held those daemons and his corrupted human slaves bent to its will. Unfortunately, this daemon prince was of such power and influence that even the torment and shock of being pulled back into the warp still left it a powerful and influential being in that twisted domain. The Inquisitor knew this and planned a trap accordingly, using himself and the `Path Blazer` as bait, knowing that this monster would send out its most powerful lieutenants in a fit of rage to enact its vengeance. Banishing them on a material plain would weaken and trap them in the warp, at least for a time.

Inquisitor Dembskis starship was shadowing the `Path Blazer`, waiting for the time that the daemons would be routed to pick him up or to attack and destroy the `Path Blazer` should no sign be sent.

The Inquisitor left the ship, and Nathaniel order his ship to resume its journey.

A year later. Inquisitor Dembski arrived at the Torbans Asteroid Fortress. He meet with the House elders and shortly after that Nathaniel was summoned. As Nathaniel entered the massive hall that held the mutating bodies of the Torban Houses ruling elite, Dumbski held out a power sword, the same one that he used a year before. He told Nathaniel that he and his ship were being released, for a time from his ferrying duties, to assist Dumbski in a campaign against a daemon outbreak on a number of worlds to the galactic north.

Nathaniel immediately said he would take the inquisitor anywhere he needed to go. The Inquisitor bowed to the assembled Navigators and turned to leave, waving Nathaniel to follow him. Just before the exit, the Inquisitor suddenly turned and removed the Chainsword Nathaniel had on his belt, the Inquisitor held up the power sword again and said that in order to assist him Nathaniel would need to use a more appropriate weapon. He gave the power sword to Nathaniel without ceremony, saying that the blade was a powerful Pentagrammically Warded weapon, that since being held by Nathaniel had developed a stubborn streak, and that the techpriest that ministered to the Ordos weapons had said that it wanted to return to a particular wielder. Nathaniel accepted the blade and followed the Inquisitor for 7 years, providing support and fighting alongside his warband until the Inquisitors own ship could be properly repaired after damage in combat. At which point Nathaniel returned to his home to continue his duties to his family.