Fuck That! I'm Going To Be A Rogue Trader Instead: Chapter 11

Meeting You At The World's End

For all the gloominess and grit this galaxy had to offer, it could be a surprisingly silly place. Like how strange was it to find a popular bar located deep inside the iron ring of a Forge World? The bowels of a shipyard wasn't exactly where one searched for a good drink, but here he was, standing amongst the colorful patrons of the bar.

With the heady scent of alcohol in the air and the din of laughter, music and hushed whispers amidst the din of its patrons, the World's End was a vibrant and thriving spot; The one spot color amidst the dreariness and drudgery of the ring. He shouldn't be surprised really.

Sailors, by nature seeked the quick pleasures offered by cup and a Forge World shouldn't be any different. There was just one thing bothering him right now as he stared at the crowd.

"Are you sure we're in the right place, my lord?" Orianne asked as she stared in confusion at the sight before them. The World's Bar wasn't living up to the cut throat environment his ancestor described it; Far from it even.

There were no brawls, no hurled insults, nor were there duels between Rogue Traders. In fact, aside from himself, there was none at all. The only patrons this bar had were Magos's and Merchants, along with the few soldiers and sailors out on shore leave

It was tame really, almost domestic even, but this was clearly the World's End. "It is the only bar in this part of the ring," He replied as he gestured at the large neon sign welded onto the steel walls, "It has the same sign and everything."

"Be as it may, this isn't exactly what I envisioned when you said this was a place Rogue Traders frequent," Orianne replied with disappointment clear in her voice. "In fact, this feels more like a market rather than the drinking hole of seasoned Rogue Traders and rookies alike!"

"It feels more like a wet market than anything really," Amelia noted as she eyed a heated exchange between a merchant and a magos twice their size on the matters of prices involving metals and its transport.

Quietly, he flipped through the pages of the journal, trying to make sure he didn't turn a wrong corner, but he wouldn't find anything amiss; It had the same name as everything. This was the bar, it was just different.

"Well, a lot of things could happen in ten thousand years and the mere fact that the bar hadn't changed names," He noted as he eyed the walls where photos of and trophies of Rogue Traders from ages past now hung, "Or decor for that matter, is a miracle all on its own."

Sighing, he closed the book. "Given the wild stories of my ancestors, perhaps it's for the better." At least he didn't need to worry about getting shot in the back for a forgotten slight. "Besides, it's still a famous stop so why not enjoy it while we're here?"

"It is a cozy little hole in the wall, my lord," Orianne mused as she stroked her chin and looked around, eyeing the exotic decors and equally exotic patrons.

"And I wouldn't mind sampling the exotic brew that a forge world of all places would offer…" Amelia added as she eyed the glowing green brew served by hooded women in faux Skitarii outfits, something which caught his lady wife's attention for all the wrong reasons.

Snorting, he offered, "If you can keep Orianne out of trouble, then you can drink as much as you want." His lady wife was already rearing to go to the bar so some supervision would be much appreciated, especially with how his lovely knight had one of the servers giggling in her arms.

"Is that a challenge my lord?" Amelia replied as she brushed her tail against her forearms before she sauntered off after Amelia.

With his cheeks now rosy, he grumbled, "Do try to keep it reasonable at least?" He had to remind himself that she wasn't just any gal, but one from his uncle's crew. "Don't make me bail both of you out."

"I make no such promises, my lord!" Amelia laughed as she skipped over to Orianne before flanking the increasingly red and flustered bar maid.

Shaking his head ruefully at the two, he said out loud, "I'm definitely going to have to bail both of them out tonight." Gesturing at his guards to keep an eye on them, he walked over to a table where a few patrons were having a game of cards.

While the girls had their fun, he'd have his own. The soft embrace of a lover and the warm buzz of a good drink wasn't the only thing worth doing at the World's End. There were plenty of opportunities to be had, one just had to look for it.

Grabbing an empty seat over, he asked, "Mind if I join in the next round?"

-x-x-x-

With his pouch just a bit heavier and the light buzz from the few shots he had, he bid the merchant at the table a farewell before making his leave. Not only had he earned himself some much needed pocket change, but he earned himself another "friend".

"If you're ever in need of grain, just remember that Macragge's Guild of Millers will be there to sell you grain!" The rowdy merchant shouted as he slumped over his table.

"True Bread for the True Sons of Macragge!" He cheered back, earning him hollers from the rowdy friends of the Macraggean Merchants

"That was easy enough," He chuckled as he looked at the business card. It wasn't much, but just having contact with merchants and being assured that he'd get his ship stocked up within the Realm of Ultimar at a discount was well worth the round of drinks he bought.

"Maybe I should explore Ultimar after this," He mused happily as he tittered off towards a nearby post for support. The space ruled by the sons of Guilliman were rich, and it bordered the nascent Tau Empire. "Who knows, maybe I'll find my home port over there!"

Chuckling to himself as he leaned against a post, he slipped the card inside his card holder. Dealer of amsec and other luxuries to wholesalers of goods, there were plenty of contacts to be made in this part of the Imperium. Half of these cards were probably scams, but the rest were plenty useful.

"Now if only I actually got the other thing I wanted…" He grimaced as he shook while trying to keep himself on two feet. Trade with merchants was useful and all, but the real prize was the other type of patron the bar had; A Magos.

Sure a group of tech priests can do repairs, maintenance, and general all-around handyman around his ship, but something out of the ordinary like exploration or repairs mid travel? That's when a Magos steps in.

It wasn't just enough that he had a Tech Priest. He needs a specialist, someone with knowledge that earned the rank of a magos. Plus, having a high ranking member of the priesthood could help him get other Techpriest off his back.

"The problem is…" He muttered as he massaged his aching temple, "What the hell could I offer them to get aboard my ship?" He wasn't exactly swimming in Archeotech and his charms were not all too effective to those with a steel heart.

"We refuse," The first bluntly rebuffed him, forcing him to change tactics.

The second was a bit more diplomatic, but the answer was still the same. "We are neither in need of excitement nor a change in pace."

As for the third, he really had nothing he could give to change their minds with. "We are content with our station," They explained, "To go out and explore would merely jeopardize what we already have. Why risk it?"

"Why risk it indeed," He mumbled as he staggered towards the bar to get some snacks. Exploration wasn't something that many could stomach. Sure there was incentive for a techpriest, with the possibility of archeotech, but not enough.

The fact that he's a Rogue Trader that had yet to make a name only made this harder. "At this rate, I'd probably have to go down to the surface if I want to hire a proper Magos for my retinue…" He muttered before pausing as a flash of purple caught his eyes.

Turning, he frowned as he watched a lone figure sitting by her lonesome. While they sported the usual vestment of the Iron Priesthood, with their mechandrites and their axe, there was something about them that drew his eyes.

Maybe it was their color of choice, or perhaps the small peek of pristine flesh under their hood, but that one voice at the back of his head told him to go talk to her. "Well, one more wouldn't hurt," He shrugged. The least they could do was just say no like the others.

Combing his hair and making himself somewhat presentable, he approached the lonely Magos. "Excuse me!" Can I have a moment of your time…" He greeted, but faltered as the Magos's cold, purple eyes gazed up at him.

Swallowing thickly, he stood there frozen. Staring deep into her eyes, he found himself lost in her gaze. It was as if he was looking into the abyss, and yet he couldn't look away; He was spell bound. They were terrifying to behold, "Yet… so pretty…"

Catching himself, he blushed. "My apologies, I didn't mean to stare," He bowed, feeling his cheeks burn with embarrassment. He must have looked like an idiot.

As he gazed up once more, he felt his breath seize up as their gaze turned heated. "Why are you here?" Their voices echoed, making the ends of his hair stand up as the shadows within the cloak of the woman before them deepened.

"You shouldn't be here," They hissed, making his very soul tremble at her voice.

Slowly, they stood up and loomed over him. Like a figure straight out of a nightmare, their many red eyes stared down at him, dissecting him and finding him wanted as small delicate hands gently grabbed him by the shoulder.

"Leave this place and never come back," They warned him as they stepped past him, "You will not find what you seek in this place." With one last hard glare, they commanded, "Heed my warning and go."

Feeling keenly aware how easy it would be for her to grab him by the neck and snap them, he stood there, daring not to move. Only when he felt their presence leave did he finally breathe out. "Jeez, you could have just said no…" He coughed, gazing at the direction where they left.

For a moment, he thought of reporting this, before deciding against it. "Must be a sanctioned psyker or something," He mused, feeling their touch. It didn't feel tainted in a way. Best not to risk it and find that was one of the retinue of an Inquisitor or maybe even of the secretive tech priests from the Ordo Sinister.

Shaking his head, he walked away from the bar and towards the wall to gather his thoughts before deciding on what to do next. If that woman were to be believed, then this wasn't the place to find a Magos. Given his record so far, he reluctantly agreed.

"Well, that was a bust," He grumbled as he stared at the many photos in the wall; of strange xenos monuments to gorgeous sights of alien worlds. "Maybe it's best to just call it quits and just move somewhere else."

It's not like he needed to find one here. There were plenty of Forge Worlds around and plenty more Magos to recruit. Just as he was about to go check on his girls, he paused as he noticed the pile of papers pinned to the wall. "Oh huh…"

Approaching the display, he quickly found it filled with all manners of request. From rumors which patrons were willing to pay to confirm as well as bounties on heads on certain individuals, there was a job for every occasion or for every type of Rogue Trader

"So this place isn't quite deserted just yet," He whispered out loud as he leafed through the piles of unclaimed jobs, "There's even some recent ones." Recent being relative of course, as some of these jobs were decades old.

Still, there's a chance that those that posted these were still around and still looking for a fool to take it. Thankfully for them, he was one such fool. "A hulk huh?" He hummed as he read through the short listing.

It was simple enough, merely a request for explorers to dive deep into a newly discovered hulk. Just the fact that it could possibly be an untapped hulk made it an interesting prospect, but being allowed to keep anything that wasn't Archeotech? Now, that got his attention.

"Maybe I should take this…" He mused out loud. The risk was great, but so would the reward. That and the reputation he could earn could go a long way.

Just as he was about to pull it off the board, a small, feminine voice warned him. "That one is a fool's errand."

Frowning, he turned and looked to find the small, hooded figure of a Magi standing beside him. She was small, tiny even with their figure not even reaching up to his chest. It was strange to say the least as it was the first time he ever had to look down.

Oftentimes, those of the Iron Priesthood augment their height to fit more iron upon their frame as well to appeal to their ego. Seeing the green glint upon the cogs of their Omnissian Axe, however, he had a feeling that she didn't need to compensate.

"It is an unmapped Hulk," He replied as he gave her a once over, taking note of the twin locks she sported, the only visibly human part she had. If not for the martian robe and her axe, he might have mistaken her for an advanced automata.

Turning back to the posting, he added, "But I don't think it'd be any more dangerous than any other Hulk." Hazards and danger abound was a given for any expedition, but he didn't worry too much. Unless there's Necron Tomb inside the Hulk, or if he happens upon some Dark Eldars, he was confident that he could clear it.

The girl would merely snort at his bravado before she tapped the blunt face of her axe against the posting, "I suggest you check who posted this errand."

Taking a closer look, he felt his mood immediately sour. "Oh, her…" Of all people that could have posted this listing, it had to be the Dockmaster. "She loves letting people know she's important, huh?" He scowled as he stared at the ornate seal, something which even put some of the older noble houses to shame.

"And they say that the dynasties of the Necrons are self absorbed," The woman* said dryly, earning her a wry smile from Octavian.

"At least they're far more entertaining," He replied as he shook his head.

"Only up until they break out their poetry," She noted, making him laugh. To think that he'd find a Magi with his type of humor.

Holding out his hands, he introduced himself, "Octavian of House Germanicus, at your service." Maybe it was his recent string of bad luck, but there's something about her that drew him in.

Gingerly, the woman reached out for his hands, hesitating somewhat as she stared at his hands before she grasped them firmly. Strangely, she felt cold to the hands, or rather her touch lacked anything remotely of warmth, or anything for that matter.

Before he could dwell on her strangeness any further, she introduced herself, "Frey'ren, Magos Explorator and Biologis."

"An Explorator and a Biologis out here?" He asked as he flashed her a smile, "I do hope you're not thinking of going to the Ghoul Stars to further your craft." There were scarce few things of interest in this part of the Segmentum and only those cursed stars fit the bill.

Thankfully, she didn't seem interested in the slightest as she scoffed at his suggestion. "The Ghoul Stars are not my interest," The weird magos answered, "I prefer humans."

"Humans," He replied, making sure he heard her right. Those of the priesthood of Mars weren't always normal, or even sane for that matter, but this was the first time he heard a Magos call people humans in such a detached manner.

"I find them more fascinating," She replied casually, making his brow rise further.

"Oh?" He hummed before flashing her a teasing smile, "Is that why you approached me?"

"Yes," She replied as she stared up at him blankly, "For I have yet to see someone with such a combination of bravado and foolishness in one package."

"You really don't hold back, do you?" He asked as a small chuckled escaped his lips.

"Hardly," She replied as he saw just a smallest flicker of amusement behind her singular eye before it was lost to the same blankness he felt around her.

Shaking his head, he crossed his arms before leaning against the wall. "Kidding aside, I find it strange that you'd be here if you're interested in humanity as a whole." He noted, "This isn't the best place to study the wonders of life with the blasted hellscape and all below."

All that one would find in this system were machines and those who worship the spirits lingering inside their frame. Not even the neighboring system holds much diversity when it comes to humanity so why bother searching here? Wouldn't it be better to search elsewhere?

"On the contrary, I think this is the best place," She replied, making him pause as he looked at her in question "Other than a hive, where else would you find humans living in such extremes?"

"Where breathing the very air causes acid to form inside one's lung, or how the mere exposure to the rain would cause skin to slough off," She explained, "This toxic world is hostile to all life and yet life clings on regardless of the circumstances. Why?"

She had a point. Humanity at its rawest form could be found in places where they're pushed to their limits and a Forge World was one such place. "I guess you can say life finds a way," He answered as he mulled over her point of view.

"What a peculiar expression," She whispered as she glanced at him with a hint of intrigue behind her eye, "Do you mind if I use it?"

"Oh no, not at all," He replied. He was ripping off an old classic (probably lost after all these years) so who was he to stop her from using that expression. "But I would mind if a Magos of your calibre doesn't join my crew," He smiled as he held out his hands.

Staring down at the offered hand, she replied, "We have only just met, and I have yet to tell you my accomplishment, and yet you want me in this crew of yours?"

"My guts says that I should try and recruit you because I'll regret passing up that chance," He replied without missing a beat. Merit could be earned along the way, but likeability and compatibility? Now that was the one thing that can't be changed.

Tilting her head, she asked, "Why should I join you?" And wasn't that a question. "I have traveled this sector for the last hundred years all on my own and I have done well enough on my own." Glancing towards the patrons, she added, "I fear that our goals do not align."

"On the contrary, I think they're far more alike than you realize," He replied. "The Galaxy is filled with all sorts of interesting people and all matters of wonders just waiting to be discovered."

"Why limit yourself to such a small corner of the galaxy when I could help you explore the vastness of it all," He offered as he glanced at his rowdy crowd cheering on her felinid captain, with Orianne leading them on, while his captain downed mug after mug.

Even his guards had been swept along as Orianne started to sing a bawdy song, one that had the crowd roaring in laughter. "There's a whole galaxy out there full of interesting people," He chuckled before turning to the venerable magos, "So why not join my crew to see them all?"

Offering his hands to her, he asked, "So what do you say? Think you can give this fool of a rogue trader a chance?" Reaching out to his hands, the woman hesitated before withdrawing them, making his smile drop.

"While the offer is appreciated, I'd have to decline," She whispered with a hint of disappointment lingering in her tone, "I have worked on my project alone for all these years and I can't see that changing anytime soon."

"It was worth a shot," He shrugged as he smiled once more even as he felt disappointment at being unable to convince her. She would have been a boon to his crew.

"But if it's a consolation, I know of a Forge World that has an abundance of acolytes that are aching to have their own patron." She offered before she pulled a data slate, "Here are the coordinates."

Pulling out his own, he took note and found it to be just a system a few hops southward relative to the galactic core. He was already planning on making his way towards the Five Hundred of Utlimar so why not make it his next leg of the journey?

Not only could he join the pilgrimage to Guilliman, but if the circumstances were favorable, he could even make a foray into Tau space. "Who knows, maybe I could grab myself a water caste or fire cast," He mused before turning back to the strange woman.

"Thanks for the info," He nodded appreciatively, "I'll drop your name to the Arch Magos if I ever g

"Now if you'll excuse me, it seems this frame needs a sleep cycle," The woman yawned robotically as she trudged off, "I wish you luck on your journey"

"And I wish the same to your studies," He replied as he watched her slip out of the bar, unnoticed at the uproarious cheers of the crowd.

"What a strange Magos," He whispered as his eyes lingered at the door. Sighing, he shook his head. "It's a shame that I couldn't get her to join." Orianne would probably like her. Hell, he liked her and he did everything he could, but it was just not happening.

Now feeling somewhat sober, he turned back towards the bar to see if they had anything other than alcohol to drink. Before he could make his way, he felt his data slate vibrate in his pocket; He had a message.

"Mmm?" He hummed as he pulled out his data slate and scanned through the message.

My Lord, the Arch Magos has received your message and would be most pleased if you were to come by his office this evening. He wishes to discuss matters involving the Enterprise's refitting, as well as the recent… mishaps.

- Your Loyal Steward, Marley

"Huh, that was faster than I expected," He said out loud as he pocketed his slate. He expected it to come in a few weeks, not days, but who was he to question his luck. "Welp, best to get this over with."

"Now to see if I have to bail out Orianne, Amelia, or both." He smiled ruefully as he made himself somewhat presentable before he turned to fetch his lady wife and their Captain. With their arms over each other's shoulders and their singing voice rising above the crowd, they were easy to spot. Hopefully, they haven't drank too much as they had a dinner to attend.

A/N:

Ok, last week was horrible. Got thrown to a different department (temporarily) and basically worked no stop. Was just tired. Thankfully, that's done so now I could breath again. With how slow I'm going... yeah, I really have to push Jan 2026 winners to Feb. Now to get that Profiteering chapters done. Who knows, maybe I could push two out!