Fuck That, I’m Going To Be A Rogue Trader Instead!: Prologue [Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader SI]

Returning to the Family Roots

For twenty years, the world of Romulus had been his home and in those twenty years he knew only peace. Nestled near the northeastern borders of the Segmentum Ultima, his world was as far away from danger as one could get. If there was one place in this wretched galaxy that one could wish to live in, then it would be here in the frontier.

The Tau are but mere rumors. The local Orks were but a minor nuisance with barely an WAAAGH worth of note. The accursed Drukhari were nowhere to be found while their vexing cousins, the Aeldari, had made themselves scarce. Even Chaos was all but absent, limited to mere whispers amongst the nobility. He couldn't have asked for a better world to be reborn in.

Of course, there were some flaws as no place was truly perfect. The Seven Stars of Italo which Romulus called its home had the Ghoul Stars just sitting beyond the sector's borders. Their looming presence proved to be a source of constant fear and apprehension. The fact that the Astronomicon's light was dim here in the periphery didn't help in that matter. Still, it was more than he could have asked for.

With a pep in his step, he walked down the palace's hallowed halls. It was here in the upper hive, surrounded by wealth beyond measure, that he called his home. He had been blessed not just with another life, but a life of luxury and comfort. He was on top of the world, literally.

"Good evening my lord," Saluted the palace guards as he passed them by. Giving them a polite smile and a nod, they let him pass without so much a question. Being the son of this sector's lord does have its perks.

He had all he could ever ask for in this new life. Wealth beyond imagining, influence, all that he could desire given to him on a silver platter. The best part was that he didn't need to lift a single finger. He could live his life the way he chose. Silently, he prayed to the God Emperor to thank him for his blessings.

He wasn't really sure if it was the big man on the throne that got him here, but it was either him or an unpleasant alternative. Smiling, he chose to ignore the possibility and replace it with his belief. He refused to entertain the idea that those space tumors could have a hand on his current life. His brief existential crisis however would be cut short as he bumped into a servant.

Catching the older woman before she fell, he quickly apologized, "Sorry about that." Quietly, he scolded himself as he helped the shell shocked woman back to her feet.

Gathering her wits, the portly woman gasped as a mortified expression grazed her face, "M-Master Octavian!" Bowing slowly before him, she apologized profusely, "My apologies, my lord. I didn't see you there! I swear-!"

Placing his hands on her shoulder, the woman tensed up. "Now, now Glynda, you know it was my fault," He replied as he had her stand up straight. "There's no need to apologize. After all, it would be amiss of me to punish someone who served my family faithfully, no?" He added as he gave her a soft smile.

Taking a deep breath, the woman let out a sigh as she nodded. Looking up at him with just a hint of apprehension, she replied, "You're too kind my lord." It was hard work breaking their habits, but he was getting there.

As he pulled away, he asked, "How's your daughter doing in the Schola?" Perhaps a change of subject would calm her down.

Almost immediately, the woman brightened up as a great big smile stretched across her face. "They're doing well, my lord," She answered as she sighed fondly, clutching her hands close to her chest. "My little Angelica had just learned how to write her name!" She told him proudly.

"Oh?" He asked, surprised at the news. "Perhaps in a few more years, she'd be taken in by the local Ministorum. We're always in need of new clerks," He hinted to her as a warm feeling rose up to his chest. He was blessed, so why not share the blessing? Increasing the funding on public schooling wasn't too hard considering it cost his family.

"I can only hope so, my lord," She replied, her voice filled with hope and joy. Looking back at him, she bowed once more. "Thank you for giving her this chance," She thanked him.

"It's nothing," He replied. "Everyone deserves a chance to better themselves," He whispered. His actions wouldn't be enough to solve all the world's ailes, but it was a start. A little hope could go a long way.Looking at the hall and noticing how sparkling clean it was, he told her, "Why don't you go take a night off?"

The place didn't really need that much cleaning given how powerful the filters were. There wasn't any need for her to work more when her time could be better used elsewhere. "I'm sure your children would love to have their mother come early," He told her.

"I-I, Bless you, my lord," The woman thanked her. "May the Emperor Light always shine upon you and your family," She whispered as she prayed to the God Emperor.

"And to you as well," He replied before waving her goodbye. Humming happily, he walked away, satisfied. There was truly nothing better than seeing the hope in others.

Reaching the very top of the hive, he found himself staring at the door before him. It was not an ornate piece nor was it some monolithic piece better fit for a titan than a man, but a simple oaken door. Feeling the ancient brass beneath his hands, he grabbed the knocker rapping it against the door. "Father?" He called, waiting patiently

"Come in!" A soft weak voice called out to him. Opening the door, he entered his fathers office and private study. The large room not only served as the heart of the Sector, where the patriarch made decisions for the masses, but a display of his family's wealth. Ten Thousand years was a lot of time to gather countless treasures.

From priceless artworks, to the richly decorated tapestries showing their families history from plying the void, and even an old husk of an Armor; the restored piece from the Angels of the Emperor themselves, his family had collected a lot over the generations. It was now the crowning jewel of their collection however. No, compared to it, these were but mere trinkets.

There, hanging just behind his fathers stooped and weathered form, was a copy of their family's greatest treasure; A Warrant of Trade. Taking up much of the wall's surface, the massive roll of vellum was a sight to behold. With the seal of the Sigillite himself pressed upon its surface, it wasn't just a writ that gave his ancestor the freedom to amass enough wealth to buy the sector, but a relic onto itself.

Perking up from his small table, his father greeted him, "Octavian, my son!" With an almost toothless smile on his face, he stood up, before doddering over. "Come, sit with me," His father said before coughs wracked his bent form.

Rushing to his fathers aid, he grabbed his flask before offering it to his father. With shaking hands, the man gulped the mix made for him by the medicae, before letting out a sigh of relief. "Thank you my boy," Gazing up to him with faded, but sharp eyes, his father asked, "Now, what brings you to my study?"

"Maybe it's not the best time," He replied as he held him back onto his throne. He had some plans, but those could wait given the state of his father.

The man was ancient, his form so withered that it was a miracle that his body could hold itself together, but he was his father and he worried for his health. He was no longer the spry three hundred fifty year old he once was. One bad fall and there would be nothing he could do.

"Nonsense," The man replied, still stubborn despite nearing his fourth century, before chuckling. "I always have time for my children," he reminded him, making Octavian smile softly.

"You should take care of yourself more, father," He softly admonished his old man. Even now, he could see him calculating just how much more they need for the next tithe. "It's not good for your health to keep on working when you feel sick. The rejuvenant treatments can only take your body so far," He reminded his father as he sat down opposite the man.

"Heavy is the crown my boy," The man fired back, grinning wryly as he returned back to his work. "We aren't just responsible for our own happiness, but those of our subjects, remember that," His father lectured him.

Octavian grinned as he fired back, "Some would say it's foolish." He knew well enough that was supposed to be how things are, but a little banter wouldn't hurt, especially when it was pointed criticisms to others.

"Bah," His father replied as he waved him off with a scowl. "Do they rule?" He asked, glaring at him, before he let out a laugh. "I don't think so," He added as Octavian nodded back, proud to have him as his father.

Gazing up from his work, his father asked, "Now, about your visit. What is it that you wish for?" Smiling in amusement, the man questioned him, "Another program for those in the lower rings? A maintenance project perhaps? Or maybe you have another business proposal at hand?"

Trailing off, he gazed away as he added with a pained tone, "Just… not anything involving the Mechanicum." Looking him in they eyes, the man warned him, "You know how they get touchy when you try to meddle with their affairs"

Octavian chuckled nervously at the reminder. "Nothing of that sort, father. I've learned my lesson," He replied as a pained smile stretched across his lips. He shuddered at the memory of being on the receiving end of a reasonable Tech Priest. The sheer rage the red hooded priest of Mars could articulate monotonously was terrifying.

Shaking his head, he replied, "It's not about our realms future; it's something concerning my own." He paused, considering it, before pushing through. As much as he wished to stay here, he feels that his time here is drawing to a close. There were only so many things he could do here. Despite the dangers, the galaxy was just out there!

Looking into his eyes, his father asked in worry, "Is there something wrong?" Concern quickly gave way to rage as the man hissed out, "Has your brute of a brother been picking on you again?" Octavian flinched, hoping he hadn't pushed him too far.

"No, it's not that," He assured his father before grimacing. "Tiberius' far too busy with his parties these days anyways," He replied as a hint of distaste filled him. While his father was a beacon of honor and duty, the same cannot be said about the nobles beneath him. His brother Tiberius was the worst amongst them.

No, it wasn't just his own bias speaking. "The man's drinks more than a regiment and whores just as much," He muttered. While his father was good at administration, he was not the best father. He was married to the job, leaving us with our mothers. It was one of his fathers faults.

It's why Tiberius was that way. Still, how one man could indulge in so much pleasure and come off as fresh as a daisy worried him. There was decadence and there was Tiberius. He had suspicions, but he didn't want to point fingers. The Inquisition can be quite trigger happy. He hated the man, but he didn't want that kind of heat on the family.

"It's a far better alternative," His father snorted. "At least he isn't causing trouble unlike your other brother," He replied, making Octavian grimace more. "Would you believe Nero had another duel?" His father asked.

Holding back a groan, Octavian, "Of course he did." Another of the family's headaches and one more problem for him to deal with.

Letting out a heavy sigh, his father pressed his palm against his forehead. Looking lost, "Thankfully, it was with some no-name guardsman, but that boy had to get his rage under control!" His father complained.

Linking his hands together, Octavian hummed. Giving it some thought, he looked up to his father before suggesting, "Maybe you can send Livia to visit him?"

"Do you really wish to subject your brother to such terrors?" The man asked and Octavian nodded without a hint of hesitation. Smiling, his father replied, "She should put the fear of the god emperor on him." Gazing at a photo of their family, with Octavian on one side, and ever so silent Livia on the other, the man whispered, "If only your brothers were more like you and your sister," His father sighed.

Octavian hesitantly nodded. While it was an innocent enough sentiment, Octavian shuddered at the thought of another Livia. Those two boneheads were incompetent while Livia… Livia was something else. Staring into those blank eyes and hollow smile, Octavian felt a shiver of fear run up his spine.

Thankfully, she was as far away from them as possible. "How is my sister by the way?" He asked, wondering about his sister's health. "I hope her study in the Ecclesiarchy's monastery is going well?" He added. While he feared her, she was still family.

"She's doing well, great even," His father happily answered before coughing once more. The wet sound of phlegm made Octavian reach for his flask, but thankfully his father was quick to recover. "The Monastery Abbess has spoken nothing but praise for her devotion to the emperor. She has even floated the idea that she might one day become," He told him, making Octvian pause.

"That was good, right?" He thought to himself. Had his sister changed for the better in the abbey? Dare he hoped, she actually turned a new leaf?

Perhaps he dreamed too much as his father added, "I am concerned however with her involvement with the Cult of the Star." Almost immediately, Octavian felt a heavy weight settle on his stomach while dread filled his vein. Despite how innocuous the cult sounded, there was something about it that made his mind scream.

"The Cult of the Star?" He asked as he frowned. "Has there been any investigations on this cult?" He questioned his father, feeling worry fill his veins. No, it can't be Tyranids right? He couldn't remember any Hive Fleet nearby.

"They're quire radical, but nothing of such sort is needed," His father waved off his concern as he cough again. Wheezing, the man reached beneath his desk and pulled out a bottle of water. Drinking greedily from the container, the man gasped before shaking his head.

"Livia has assured me that they're fine," He reassured him before he reached up his collar. and pulled out a pendant that had Octavian's very soul screaming in panic; The eight pointed star that spelled doom to all who saw it. "They even gave me a pendant," The man smiled and Octavian felt his mouth dry up.

His sister was corrupted. There was no doubt about it. What's worse was that she corrupted an Abbess as well. He was ready to face a rebellion, but not this. If his suspicions are right, his sister is long gone and is replaced by this monster. He… was in danger.

"She's a good girl. She would never lie," His father weakly replied as he yawned. Seeing the pendant, Octavian now noticed just how much paler his father was. It was already too late.

"I-I, Yes father." He nodded, feeling sorrow and dread fill his veins. Sorry about his father, and dread for what he needed to do. What can he do? He neither had Nero's talent in killing nor Tiberius charms. He was an administrator! He can't fight worth a damn without allies!

There was also the matter of how far the rot is. There hadn't been any widespread signs of destruction or riots so far, but that could easily change. There were far too many variables he needed to figure out. Could he even take this on? Is there anything he could do?

He could call upon the Inquisition, but that risks meeting the Inquisition. What would they do when they find out what he knows? Chaos was not a widespread knowledge after all. The whole world could be destroyed on a whim if things are that bad.

"Now, what was it that you wanted again?" His father asked, breaking his train of thoughts. "I'm feeling awfully tired and perhaps it's best that I retire to my chambers for now," He whispered.

Swallowing thickly, Octavian considered his choice. He could take this on his own, hunker down and take out his siblings in intrigue while fighting off an active chaos incursion or he could run away. He had enough wealth to take on a pilgrimage to Terra or just go live his days in a pleasure world. He already had things planned for such a voyage!

It was the less suicidal of the option. He would live, escaping the chaos as it blows over, but could he live with himself knowing that he'll leave people he cared behind? Was he callous enough to just let them suffer while he lived his life out there?

These two options were something he couldn't take. There is however a third option, one he never knew he had to take. Taking a deep breath, he sighed as he gazed up at the Writ of Trade, before asking, "Father, I wish to take our forefathers' mantle as a Rogue Trader and explore the Stars."

His father froze, eyes wide as he stared back at him. Still, he had made his decision and he couldn't back out now. "I know that I've asked a lot from you father, but please grant me just this one last request," he begged his father as he bowed. "I wish to bring honor and glory to our family and I feel that I can achieve it by returning to our roots," he replied.

He was going to escape, but he was going to take good and loyal men and women, people who deserve a chance, as far away from this place as possible. It was a coward's way out, but he didn't want to die. He knew himself well enough that he knew he couldn't win this. At least out there in the frontier, he would have time before an anonymous tip would go to the local Inquisitors table.

"Octavian, my son, you know I have given you all that you've asked for and all you could ever want," His fathers replied, voice trembling as he looked up at him with sadness in his eyes. "But this? Please my son, reconsider!" He shouted, strength returning to him as he stood up and slammed his hands on the table.

"It's dangerous out there!" He shouted as he gestured at the stars above. "There are Orks, Xenos, Mutants even. Away from home, I cannot protect you!" He trailed off as his strength left him and his age made itself known. Slowly sinking into his chair, the man told him, "There's a reason why our ancestors settled down on this world and called it our own."

Octavian nodded. Xenos and Mutants were the least of his problems as the forces of Chaos all too happily reminded him. "I know the risk, but I'm willing to face them," He replied. It was still better than facing it here, where there's no place he could run once things get bad. "It will not be easy and there will be hardship, but so is anything worth pursuing," he added.

"Even if I wanted to, there is a matter of who would take on the mantle of ruling this sector?" His father asked before he let out a long shuddering sigh. Looking like a mere shell of himself, he admitted, "Truth be told, your siblings are less than ideal."

"Individually," Octavian replied as he looked up at his father. As much as it pained him, he just couldn't stay here. "They would bring ruin, but together they can make wonders," He told him. Indeed they would, if they weren't corrupted.

Livia alone could bring them whole ruin, but perhaps the three would take each other out. "Tiberius had never been the best at martial matters, but that's where Nero could cover him. Nero might have difficulties with others, but Tiberius has that handled," He pointed out, before gazing at his sister's portrait. "Livia meanwhile serves as the glue holding our family together."

It was going to be a disaster in the making, but perhaps his two other siblings could actually kill Livia. Either way, Livia was going to be in the helm if he leaves, so best give him some wrenches to mess with whatever she had planned.

"They can rule, just not without the others," He replied before lying to his father, "Besides father, you know that I never wanted to rule. It never really was my passion." He loved Italo and Romulus, but he didn't want to die.

"Even if you lose everything, or even suffer a fate worse than death?" His father asked, reminding him of what faith could await him out there. He had lived in the lap of luxury and now he was going to dive head first into a profession which has ruined greater men and women than him.

"To be a Rogue Trader is to thread the line between life and death; of riches beyond measure and ruin," His father told him as his fathers eyes hardened. "You either succeed, or you die. Are you willing to take this risk knowing that there is a chance that you will never return?" He asked as Octavian gritted his teeth. What choice does he have?

"I am," He answered as he knelt before his father to hide his shaking legs. "Please father, I just want to make you proud," He told him, all but begging him for the Writ. It was his only hope.

"You have already done so and always have," His father replied with sorrow, twisting the knife of failure in Octavian's chest. "But if this is what you wish, then I wouldn't stand against it," His father said before he stood up.

Walking over, he laid his hands on his shoulder as he gave his blessing. "As the patriarch of the family, I hereby grant you our family's Warrant of Trade." Feeling the heavy in his stomach lighten, he gazed up meeting his fathers gaze. "We not only give you our blessing, but the backing of the family of Julii. You are free to command what resources you need for your journey," He told him.

Octavian hid a sigh of relief at his fathers generosity. This would definitely make it easier for him as he didn't have to rely solely on his saved up allowance. Just as he was considering what he needed, it seemed his father was not done yet.

"And what kind of Rogue Trader would my son be without a ship?" His father asked before he told him, "I give unto you our family's ship."

Eyes wide, Octavian sputtered out, "But-!"

His father however would cut him off as he raised his hands. As he held his tongue, his father continued, "I will not suffer my youngest son having the indignity of having to captain a mere Destroyer." Smiling, he added, "I'm sure that that Enterprise would serve you well just as it did our ancestors before us,"

The planet could use the defense, but he couldn't say no. "Thank you father," He bowed, thankful that he was not just interested with the Writ, but also their families Heirloom.

Reaching up to his collar, his father removed the pendant his sister gave him before slipping it around his neck. Octavian froze, but felt nothing from it. Still, he felt his heart beat faster inside his chest. "May the Emperor's light guide you," His father whispered before he retreated back to his throne. Waving him off, he commanded, "Now go before I change my mind and I'm sorely tempted to do so."

Nodding stiffly, he stood up as he answered, "You won't regret this father." Hastily walking out to the door, he closed it behind him before. Almost immediately, he felt his legs give out under him, forcing him to grab to a nearby pillar for support.

Shakily reaching for his aquila without touching the pendant, he wrapped the holy symbol around his hands before tearing the pendant away. Now that it was off his neck, he could feel its malice as it smoked in his hands. His sister tried to kill his father.

As he clenched his fist and the symbol sizzled in contact with the Aquila, he pulled his arms back before throwing it out the window. Watching it sail across the air, it fell down before disappearing in a flash as it hit the void shields.

Grimacing at the burns he now sports, he sighed in relief as the wound felt clean. Even in the farthest reach of the Imperium, the emperor protects. Sinking down to his kness, he turned and rested his back against the walls. Looking up the crest of his house on the ceiling, he whispered out the only words that could described his situation right now, "Fuck."

A/N:

Took me way longer than I wanted too due to IRL stuff, but it's finally done. Is currently juggling some Commissions as well as the next chapter of Seoul Kitchen. Sorry for the delay. Hopefully, I could catch up to lost time.