>>96543209
>He knew now that he could not hope for aid from his fellow Inquisitors. What they would say if he tried to explain the situation but that he had gone mad, or worse, was simply a senile old fool? For Inquisitor Corsini was indeed in the twilight years of his life; eschewing the juvenat treatments and bionic organs that granted his brethren unnatural longevity. How, he wondered, could they bear to pollute the holiness of the human form with such artifice, merely for a few more years of life? Cowardice! Heresy!

>Betrayed by his superiors, abandoned by his brethren, and opposed by such wealth and power as he could scarcely comprehend, Inquisitor Corsini sought solace in prayer, and deep in solemn contemplation, the Inquisitor at length came to understand what must be done. His ancient foe had revealed herself at last, and pardon or no pardon, he had sworn an vow to the God-Emperor that she would die by his hand. Not one foot would she step upon Holy Terra while he drew breath!

>Yet even if he stood alone against all the galaxy, it mattered not, for the Emperor was with him. And if his vengeance should cost him his life, what would it matter? For seventy years, he had lived only to visit justice upon the woman who had destroyed his home world. So long as Salafié lived, there could be no peace for him, and if she were finally slain, what more was there for him to achieve?

>And thus, Inquisitor Corsini donned his penitent's hood once more, and requisitioning a frigate, set forth on what he knew would be his final mission.