Chapter 141: Alivia Sureka the Immortal
Omega raised his coffee pot toward the assembled Primarchs, offered a courteous bow, and smiled. "This coffee is quite good. I'll fetch another pot from the back. You two can continue your discussion."
With that, he seized the pot and made his escape from the banquet hall. Horus and the others watched in silence as Omega departed.
Their attention turned to Alpharius, and Lion El'Johnson spoke with iron resolve. "Alpharius, regardless of your reasoning, every returning brother receives a ceremony of acknowledgment. You cannot evade this."
"And don't attempt to deflect with excuses like 'Omega participated, so I participated by proxy.' That won't suffice."
Horus reinforced the point firmly. "The ceremony must be held. I can refrain from pressing too deeply into whatever you've been concealing, but the formal return rite is mandatory. It is an unparalleled honor."
None present could comprehend Alpharius's refusal. The ceremony was essential, an indispensable recognition of his return to the Imperium's fold.
Alpharius replied coldly, "My return ceremony was already conducted in secret by the Emperor and Malcador. Further formalities are unnecessary."
"What?!! Why were we not informed of your return? Give me a reason!" Leman Russ demanded, shock evident in his tone. This was beyond belief. If Alpharius had truly returned, why this deception?
Alpharius answered quietly, "It's classified."
"Don't hide behind classifications!! I care nothing for your Legion's mysticism, but I, Leman Russ, will not accept this until I receive an explanation!" the Wolf King said bluntly, waving his hand dismissively.
As the discussion progressed, the brothers realized that many threads led back to Alpharius himself, while Omega had merely been aware of the circumstances.
When Omegon hurried his coffee pot into a tea room beyond the banquet hall, he discovered a significant gathering: Malcador in his grey robes, Constantin Valdor, Captain-General of the Legio Custodes, the Emperor, and a striking, dark-haired woman with a commanding presence.
Omegon paused at the unexpected assembly. After gesturing for more coffee, the spirited young woman, Alivia Sureka, smiled and stepped forward to assist.
Having finally escaped the banquet hall's intensity, Omega had no desire to linger with the Emperor and Malcador. He departed for a private chamber with Alivia Sureka to prepare coffee, while the Emperor and Sigillite watched them leave in contemplative silence.
Moments later, hurried footsteps echoed outside. The Emperor calmly sipped his tea. "Malcador, I believe this is your concern."
Malcador rested both hands upon his scepter. "Such troublesome matters. I wish I could flee with a coffee pot like Omegon. This situation with Alpharius exceeds my authority to resolve."
The Emperor observed, "This presents an ideal opportunity to bring Alpharius into the light. His work has been more than adequate."
Just then, Leman Russ burst through the entrance. Upon seeing the Emperor and the others, he immediately demanded an explanation from Malcador and the Master of Mankind, and called for his brothers to witness the discussion.
In the private chamber, Alivia Sureka, whose bearing and heroic spirit matched that of a seasoned general, skillfully ground coffee beans before brewing them with practiced efficiency.
Noting her intrigued expression, Omega spoke calmly. "You are one of the Perpetuals?"
"I'm nothing like the immortals you speak of. I'm merely an ordinary woman, Omegon. Please don't read too deeply into it," Alivia Sureka replied with a smile, her expression and gaze unchanged.
Omegon smiled faintly. "Your position of prominence beside the Sigillite gives you away. Among the female warriors of the Great Crusade, only the Silent Sisters have endured in significant numbers, and even most of them have likely perished."
"Possessing the demeanor of a veteran commander and serving at the Sigillite's side, your existence suggests origins comparable to the female generals of the Unification Wars two centuries past."
"Only during that era would women have possessed such opportunities to survive as battlefield commanders. Ordinary women, even trained psykers, would show their age after two hundred years. Maintaining such vitality would require... exceptional circumstances."
Alivia Sureka stroked her chin thoughtfully, her smile widening. "That's quite an astute analysis. I appreciate the compliment."
"I maintain that female warriors are no less capable than men in the Great Crusade. They are not as fragile as some dare imagine, and stand equal to any warrior."
Omega observed that this woman possessed a temperament completely opposite to Erda's, strong and fearless, and asked with genuine curiosity, "Across the long years, countless individuals have faded from my father's side while others have emerged. Miss Alivia Sureka, what is it you pursue?"
Alivia Sureka seemed surprised by the question, yet answered with decisive conviction. "To fight for the Emperor, naturally. This is the most worthwhile purpose I've discovered in my existence. And you, Omegon?"
When the question turned to him, Omega fell silent for a moment before laughing. "Of course, I am loyal to the Emperor. As for what I pursue... to be honest, I haven't determined that yet. I'm still searching. Perhaps... inner peace."
Alivia Sureka seemed genuinely surprised by the Primarch's introspection. "What do you mean by inner peace?"
"Like this."
As he spoke, an ineffable spiritual radiance gradually emanated from Omega's form. The subtle luminescence surrounded him, yet upon witnessing it, Alivia Sureka felt an indescribable sacred serenity penetrate her consciousness. Her mind became crystalline and tranquil. Startled, she looked closer, but the beautiful spiritual aura had already faded, and Omegon had returned to his usual state.
Alivia Sureka exhaled in wonder. "This is your psychic gift, Omegon. It's truly remarkable."
Omega shook his head with a chuckle. "It's not psychic power. Merely a sensation I can transmit through focused will. It's actually not very useful. I fight with a blade."
Alivia Sureka began to grasp what Omegon meant by his pursuit and smiled. "This inner peace you seek is somewhat beyond my expectations. The spirit of the truly strong requires no sorcery; their mere presence can exert tremendous influence on others."
"Thank you for trusting me with this."
"I said 'perhaps.' Who can predict the future?" Omega dismissed it with a casual wave, though Alivia Sureka didn't entirely believe his deflection.
The sense of sacred purpose she'd felt made her trust him instinctively, regardless of whether his loyalty to the Emperor was absolute or nuanced.
Alivia Sureka neither confirmed nor denied her status as a Perpetual, but she showed no reluctance to discuss military strategy and command with Omega.
During their conversation, Omega found himself increasingly impressed.
This woman possessed extensive knowledge of void warfare, demonstrated exceptional battlefield command acumen and strategic insight, and carried herself with formidable strength of character. He found her genuinely intriguing.
'She and Erda would make a fascinating contrast,' he mused privately. 'One fierce, one gentle.'
'Yet no one in the Emperor's circle has pursued love with Erda's persistence across the centuries.'
After preparing a fresh pot, Alivia Sureka skillfully brewed him another cup. Omega savored it, offered his thanks, and departed with the coffee pot, making his way back toward the banquet hall.
When Alivia Sureka returned to the tea room, the Emperor glanced at her but asked no questions. At such proximity, he had been fully aware of their entire exchange.
In the banquet hall, grey-robed Malcador now sat at the head of the table, and the atmosphere had grown considerably more subdued.
When Omega entered, every eye turned toward him. This man had just fled the confrontation.
Alpharius himself had declined the offer of a return ceremony. His reasoning remained sealed behind classification.
Both Alpharius and Malcador confirmed the facts but offered nothing further. Their evasiveness left Horus and the others deeply dissatisfied. They would not accept such veiled proceedings.
As soon as Omegon seated himself, Horus spoke in a grave tone. "Omegon, Alpharius refuses our ceremony of acknowledgment. As his brother, what is your position?"
Omegon sipped his hot coffee, gaze fixed ahead. "In this matter, I share your desire to hold a joyous and grand return ceremony for Alpharius. Like you, however, I am powerless to change his decision."
Stunned silence followed. Every eye turned to Alpharius, whose expression remained impassive.
Omega continued, "I suggest we proceed with the feast. Let us set aside this frustration and celebrate what we can."
"A feast? Agreed!" Grey-robed Malcador immediately concurred, summoning his attendants to bring forth food and wine.
Despite Malcador's intervention, the tension in the hall remained palpable. Roboute Guilliman continued attempting to persuade Alpharius even as sumptuous courses began arriving in succession.
[End of Chapter]