Gasps of shocked people filled the room.
It was really him, in the flesh. Zemin could barely believe his eyes. He didn't see his mentor for more than a year, but he didn't change a bit since then—just like he didn't change since Zemin first saw him as a child.
Makhos was still dressed in a white robe with a hood that covered his silver hair. His ghostly wings grew right through the clothing, and were not as bright as Mordechai's, but just as beautiful in their elegance.
But where Mordechai had a steel aura of a leader similar to a bright but faraway star, Makhos had an aura of a kind shepherd, almost like a welcoming campfire.
Mordechai stood from his desk. Every trace of surprise on his face was replaced by a stern frown.
"Inquisitor Makhos. What reason do you have to barge into my meeting like that? Unless you give me one, I will report this incident to your masters as a gross misconduct."
Zemin could only look from one angel to another, speechless. Never before had he witnessed two angels arguing—hell, seeing two angels at once was already rare enough. Judging by their faces, neither did others.
All angels had positions of power, and they rarely crossed each other so directly. Exemplar Commander ruled over Exemplars and Esquires in the 4th Sector. Inquisitors investigated and rooted out the demonic threat inside the Holy Dominion itself. Each of them also had their own area where they worked in, and there were several ranks of Inquisitors and their subordinates.
Makhos had 2nd rank, which meant he obeyed an Inquisitor of 1st rank, but said very little about who is more important—Makhos or the 4th Exemplar Commander.
"I deeply apologize for my rudeness, Commander Mordechai," Makhos said with a humble smile. "However, it DID have a reason. As soon as news about the terrible fate of Exemplar Squad 7 reached me, I knew that information that I have will be vital for fixing the problems that develop in our 4th Sector."
Mordechai was silent for a moment.
"Is Master Inquisitor of the 1st rank aware of this too, Inquisitor Makhos?"
"Of course."
"Very well, then. I will hear you out. Everybody else—dismissed!"
The Psionics turned as one towards the exit, but were stopped by Makhos's raised hand.
"But don't go too far. Stay within the base for now, please. Master Mordechai will want to rethink his decisions about you, Psionics."
Mordechai narrowed his eyes, but nodded. "Do as the Inquisitor commands."
Mute from confusion and shock, Zemin walked outside, followed by the others. The guards posted at the doors gave them bewildered looks, but soon composed themselves.
By habit, Zemin began to walk towards his barracks, but paused ten meters later. They weren't his anymore. Although, he still had to gather his things—
"I can't believe it! Since when Masters Inquisitors are interested in our missions? We just kill whoever demon we are pointed at!" Narcisa spoke, pulling Zemin out of his thoughts.
She looked unusually agitated and was tugging strands of black hair out of her bun.
"Narcisa, are you alright? I mean… You have nothing to worry about here. Our report is over, and whatever business Master Makhos has with Exemplar Commander isn't our business, even if Exemplar Commander really will change his verdict," Zemin said.
Narcisa gave him an unimpressed look. "Says the person who is in the deepest shit out of everyone here. Adia should crawl on her knees before you—no amount of sex can be worth a year in Dammanburg."
Zemin's cheeks heated up. "I didn't do it because of things like that—!"
"Yeah, I know—and it's even worse," Adia said, sighing. "Crawling on my knees and sucking you off until you see stars is really the least I can do, and I will fucking do it!"
Now Zemin felt like steam was going to pour out of his ears. And to make matters worse, Jagger was watching the entire scene with incredulously raised eyebrows.
Zemin clenched his fists and used a bit of Psi-energy to cool the air around his face until the icy shock helped him restore his calm.
"Adia, I won't refuse your offer, but not right now." He turned to Narcisa. "And you didn't answer my question, Narcisa… You act strange."
She shook her head and regained her usual cynical expression. "Worry about your own problems, Zemin. Sergeant, let's go break the news to Danis and Citri."
"Right, Narcisa–let's not keep them worrying."
***
Just like he advised Narcisa, Zemin tried to not think about reasons for Makhos's appearance. He failed. The next few hours, which he was supposed to spend gathering his things (even if Exemplar Commander changed his mind, it was better to be ready for anything), checking up on the wounded Esquires (Danis was walking around with a sling, while Citri was put on bed rest and complained about boredom), and making goodbyes, were mostly full of troubled thoughts.
When a messenger called Zemin to the Exemplar Commander's office again, they grew stronger. What if Mordechai decided to punish someone else now?
Inside the office, Zemin was met by Mordechai and Makhos. The second angel stood next to the Exemplar Commander's desk, smiling kindly.
"Psionic Zemin reporting," Zemin said, saluting to the angels.
Mordechai glowered at him. The angel appeared more grim than during their previous meeting.
"At ease, Esquire—for now, an Esquire. Inquisitor Makhos convinced me that there is a faster way to give you the lessons you need to learn, and with the fate of squad 7, fighters like you… MIGHT be worth an effort."
Mordechai tilted his head toward Makhos. "But the Inquisitor will explain it better."
Makhos smiled wider, but the warmth of expression didn't reach Zemin like it always had before.
"You can help yourself and the Holy Dominion by taking part in a special, experimental training routine, Zemin. With your 'special gift', I believe you are the person most suited for it—and it will give you strength to protect the people of this sector, who need protection so much in these times."
Zemin blinked.
Training instead of demotion? This was good. Easy.
Things rarely were.