The reformatory, as it was known, was a propagandist artwork on a massive scale. Each level showed sculptures of the Emperor's agents -Arbites, Space Marines, inquisitors, Battle Sisters and more - killing and purging those who broke Imperial law and doctrine. Crimes as base as rape and child-murder were there, along with petty theft,

lying and tardiness. Each and every perpetrator was shown in the moment of their guilt, suffering the full weight of retribution upon them. At the very top of the conical construct, loud hailers broadcast stern hymns and blunt sermons on the nature of crime. Everything about the building was a threat to those who would entertain thoughts of malfeasance.

Sister Miriya approached the prison across the plaza, with Cassandra at her side and the Hospitaller Verity a step or two behind.

'Is her presence really necessary, Sister Superior?' Cassandra asked from the side of her mouth.

'Another pair of eyes is always useful.’ replied Miriya, but in truth that was a poor justification. Had she wanted another observer, it would have been a simple matter for her to summon Isabel or Portia to accompany them. She was conflicted by Verity, pressured by a sense of obligation to her comrade Lethe. In some way Miriya felt as if she owed the Hospitaller a debt of closure. Or is it my own guilt she reflects back upon me? The Sister Superior shook the thought away. Verity wanted to see the men who had aided Vaun in murdering her sibling, and Miriya could think of no good reason to refuse her.

An enforcer with veteran sergeant chevrons on his duty armour was waiting for them at the gate, and with grim purpose the enforcer ushered the three of them in through the prison's layers of security. Other enforcers stopped what they were doing to watch the Sisters passing by. They did not look at them with reverence or respect; the lawmen half-hid

smirks or sneers and muttered among themselves, quietly mocking the women who had so publicly lost the notorious psyker.

Cassandra's lip curled and Miriya knew she was on the verge of snapping out an angry retort, but the Sister Superior silenced such thoughts in her with a brief shake of the head. They had more serious concerns than the opinions of a few common police troopers.

We've got them segregated,' said the enforcer sergeant. 'A couple have died since we got them here.’

'How?' piped Verity.

He gave her an arch look. 'Wounds, I imagine. Fell

down the stairs.'

'Have you interrogated them?' Miriya studied the line of cell doors as they passed into the holding

quadrant.

'Couldn't get much sense out of them,' admitted the enforcer. 'Crying for their wives and kids, mostly' He grimaced. 'Big men, some wetting their britches and wailing like newborns. Pathetic'

They know the price they will pay for turning on the Emperor's benifkence,' said Cassandra. They have nothing to look forward to but death.'