6 moths later, after an especially brutal crusade through the Nachmund Gauntlet, Inquisitor Stella stood on the bridge of her new ship – Casus Incognita. Her past year had been eye-opening.

Travelling with the Rogue Trader, Emberlyn Driftwood, had proved to her that freedom of movement could lead to exciting adventures. It had proved to her that not everything was grim and dark – Xeno cultures could be fascinating, undiscovered mysteries could be exciting and most heretical of all: You could guide your own fate, not just blindly follow His Light and pray for the best.

“Lord Inquisitor, you’ve received a message,” her lieutenant said, handing her the sealed scroll.

Stella opened the scroll:

My dearest Inquisitor Stella. If you’re receiving this letter, I’ve most likely reached my untimely demise. So much for living forever!

Although we didn’t always see eye-to-eye, you saved my skin more than once and you were always there for me. You never ran from my desires. You are, by far, the kindest Inquisitor I ever met, but that’s not saying much. Keep practicing that.

I have one final duty I must ask of you. Please find the Starhowl Kinband – they have something for you.

Forever your Rogue Trader and guiding light,

The Illustrious Emberlyn Driftwood.

P.S I left my extensive booze collection in your name, make sure Greg doesn’t sell it.

*

Days later, the Casus Incognita tentatively approached the Kroot Warsphere protecting Emberlyn’s gift.

Inquisitor Stella boarded the voidship alone. She was greeted by the new Kroot War Shaper leading the Kinband , he appeared an impressively adept leader, standing over 2 meters tall. A fine replacement for Rak’Thar. Inquisitor Stella cleared her throat.

“K’kret-Jarr Starhowl, a pleasure. I believe that you have a package for me, courtesy of a Rogue Trader?”

Starhowl clicked and hissed, taking Stella to a room deep within the voidship. The room contained a single box, the size of a chair, wrapped in parchment and a purity seal. Upon approaching, in Emberlyn’s handwriting, was the message: For Inquisitor Stella.

Nearby Kroot stared at the box inquisitively – half expecting it to explode in a Melta-blast. At least one was salivating at the thought of the Inquisitor being barbequed.

Stella opened the box. Inside were two pieces of paper, nothing more. The first piece of paper was written in an old underworld cypher and, translated, it said: 

You’re lucky, Stella. You get to personally deliver this to my successor. Please don’t lose it. Have fun! – E

The second piece of paper looked old. Lights flickered as Stella removed it from the box. Despite its age, the paper was immutable – it could not be torn, nor creased. The words written on it were hard to translate – an old version of High Gothic. But to Stella, it was clear as day what this was.

This was Emberlyn’s Warrant of Trade – the legal document that had granted her the title, duties, worlds, dynasty and freedom of a Rogue Trader of the Imperium. This particular Warrant of Trade was ancient – it was one of the originals, which was well over 10,000 years old. Among the legal jargon, one sentence stood out to her:

“What is done by the bearer is done by my command.”

Followed by a big ‘E’ monogram in blood. Signed by the Emperor himself. 

This was a priceless human artifact. While new Warrants of Trade were created and handed out in increasingly infrequent circumstances, the originals granted far more freedom and, due to their rarity, sometimes caused wars to break out over them. 

Stella’s knees threatened to give way. Most humans would die to get their hands on this artifact, to get this close to their Emperor’s will. To Emberlyn’s soul-binding mandate – which for some reason, she had entrusted to her to pass on. 

While the Driftwood Dynasty could continue without this Warrant of Trade, as there were digital records and processes for a replacement, the loss of the Original Warrant would bode pretty poorly for them, as losing it could suggest they’re not exactly in a great position to hold one.

“Maybe you were fulfilling His Will after all. Hanging on to your humanity, that urge to discover the unknown and expand the frontier, regardless of the wars suffocating us,” Stella said to the piece of paper. “Thank you for this honour, Lord Captain. I will help find someone to carry on your legacy.”