41K RPG : Into the Eye

[Pcm979]

"What a mess." Byron commented, trailing after the Inquisitor and Gyllia as they headed for Talstrem's temporary quarters.

Pater grunted. The little A.I. wasn't scratching the surface. No doubt Gix would assume Pater was either stupid or had attempted to ruin him. "How is the flotilla?" He asked.

"We're virtually dead in space, Pater." Gyllia said, mechadendrites writhing in agitation. "Two sensor grids burned themselves out and the teleporters won't be functional for at least a week."

Pater grunted again. He almost never got angry, but frustration was still within his grasp. "Our guests?" He asked shortly.

"The Tech-Marine's in seventh heaven with all this archaeotech around him." Byron said negligently. "Inquisitor-not-dead Talstrem's exhausted after... What he went through. Whatever that was."

Pater grunted a third time. "Gyllia, perhaps you'd be so good as to give the Tech-Captain a tour? We must be hospitable hosts." It would also give him some time alone with Talstrem. There was a great deal to discuss.

Gyllia nodded. "Of course."

They stopped in front of the room and signalled the door chime.

[SirNitram]

Malkamar answered the door, having dressed down on the Inquisitor's ship. He had dispensed with the weaponry he had at his side when he came on, viewing such as potentially insulting to his hosts. Several chunks of his armour were also off, allowing him to use his hands unrestricted while his servo-harness was retained. He had been working on a lasgun, following the data crystals instructions on maximizing it's throughput. Learn through taking things apart...

"Inquisitor." Malkamar bowed formally. "How may I be of service? I trust Lord Talstrum and Lord Gix are alright?"

[Pcm979]

Pater nodded to the posthuman. "Communications are still fragmented, but Inquisitor Gix appears to be alive and well. Inquisitor Talstrem deigned to submit to a medical examination, and seems perfectly healthy, apart from fatigue. His... New body was not quite ready for the level of activity it was put through, I am told."

He stepped into the room carefully. "I apologise for your accomodations; It was the best we could do at such... Short notice." The room was small, spartan, with bunk beds that Malkamar couldn't have laid on properly even if he'd stacked them side-by-side. "We have more appropriate quarters elsewhere. I am not unnaccustomed to transporting members of the Astartes."

[SirNitram]

"I make do; the floor is comfortable enough to allow rest cycles." Malkamar shrugged slowly. "I have roughed it much harder than this. A small travel tip: Never get marooned on an Eldar 'Exodite' world. They are not very accomodating, and also, they try and knife you when they meet you."

The Marine was rambling. He knew he was, so he quietened, stepping back and shrugging a bit. Spartan quarters were normal. The beds, well, the beds couldn't be helped. "I am glad the Inquisitors are well. I was concerned when we teleported free; I had intended to get the survivors off via the landing bay and see if the engines couldn't be stabalized." Astartes, always pushing themselves ten times harder. "It matters little. If you have quarters more appropriate, I will move."

[Pcm979]

Pater nodded again. "Good. Until this fiasco is resolved, I will attempt to make you and the Inquisitor comfortable. If after that period you wish to leave, that would be your choice." He turned to Gyllia. "Would you care to give our guest a tour?" He asked for show. Gyllia bowed, Mechadendrites clenched in supplication.

[SirNitram]

"A tour would be most enlightening." Malkamar nodded slowly. "May I enquire as to the identity of my guide?" He knew mechadendrites, and they signalled to him Be Careful, This One Might Not Like You.

[Cynical Cat]

The scan beam of the auspex checked her card. The green rune lit up. The naval security trooper saluted. "Clear sir!"

"Thank you," she said as she returned the salute. The door slid open and she stepped in. The corridor smelled faintly of oil and disenfectent, the smell of millenia of maitenance and replacement overriding that of the humans who used it. Long legged strides ate up the distance. She was in a hurry.

The guards at the other end saluted. She returned it and stepped inside. Dozens of men, women and servitors were passing through the large chamber, on one task or another. One of the glow strips flickered. It would need to be replaced.

That was the way of things. Warships endured for millenia and so did Segmentum bases. Each piece was replaced as it began to fail in a never ended cycle of maitanence and renewal combating the forces of decay. She stepped into the lift and it took her to the top. She stepped out into the control tower.

A young Flag lieutenant turned and saluted. "Admiral!" The rest of the men and women continued about the business of monitoring their instruments and directing flights, as they should.

"I need cutter or similar vessel capable of fast interplanetary travel. Yesterday."

"Will do admiral."

"Good."

[Pcm979]

"Techpriest Majoris Gyllia Xyng, my longest-serving associate, and in nominal charge of the ship's fabricatium." Pater introduced them. "Tech-Captain Malkamar, Duskguard. I will leave you to get aquainted; I need to talk to Inquisitor Talstrem."

[SirNitram]

Tech-Priest. Malkamar was lucky he was an Astartes; the grueling training and transformation had stripped away his expressive features from his too-short human lifetime. Otherwise, this being before him would see the disgust and fear. "A pleasure, Techpriest Majoris. Please, I would be honoured to see as much of the ship as possible."

[Pcm979]

Gyllia smiled warmly, surprising for a Mechanicus. In fact, it was surprising that she had a face at all; Usually, it was only the most junior of Techpriests who hadn't traded in their senses for far more reliable and advanced mechanical versions. "Call me Gyllia." She said as Pater left the room.

-

Pater chimed Nathan's room bell.

[SirNitram]

Gyllia smiled warmly, surprising for a Mechanicus. In fact, it was surprising that she had a face at all; Usually, it was only the most junior of Techpriests who hadn't traded in their senses for far more reliable and advanced mechanical versions. "Call me Gyllia." She said as Pater left the room.

"Of course, Gyllia." Malkamar attempted to shift into the vernacular, the casual. It wasn't something a Marine did easily or without some mental shock. "Impressive ship, really. What little I've seen. Never seen a teleport performed at such a range; is that the Archaeotech, or did you do a power and sensor cross-link and push the capacitors?"

[Pcm979]

"A combination." She said, slipping into technical terms easily. "Not that it helped much; The reactor redlined and we ended up having to shunt power from weapons and defenses just to get a signature. It's not something I'd want to do again, even if the TacNet was expanded."

[Typhonis]

Nathan got up from his chair and walked to the door. His plasma pistol was out and in his right hand as he called out. "Who is it?"

"Pater Novum , Inquisitor Talstrem I wish to talk."

Nathan slid the pistol into the back of his belt as he opened the door. "Hey Pater long time no see. Come on in."

[Pcm979]

Pater nodded and passed Nathan, turning around as the door shut. As with the others, the differences in his demeanour and appearance would be obvious.

"A long time, indeed." He said, trying and failing miserably to be social. "You appear exactly as when I last saw you." A pause. "No, when I last saw you, you were a burned husk being lanced from orbit." He corrected for factual accuracy. "But nevertheless, Jolan's methods, whatever they were, seem to have succeeded."

[SirNitram]

"Interesting. While an unsuccessful test in the context of a repeatable, reliable tactic, it proves the validity of the concept." Malkamar rubbed his chin as he slid into step following. "I will have to meditate on such a revelation. Now. Let us begin this tour. I am sure you keep a strong living temple to the God-Emperor here." He knew the term 'Omnissiah', of course, but the momentary shop-talk had distracted him from the ruse of a Techmarine taught on Mars.

[Typhonis]

Nathan notted the changes and expected them.He motioned for a set against one wall. "good....don`t feel that well but I need some heavy duty training before I`m that fit again. ...I royally screwed up didn't I?"

[Pcm979]

"Some would say so, and some would excommunicate us for Heresy." Gyllia commented. "By Adeptus Mechanicus standards, we are dangerous radicals for actually seeking to understand and utilise the technology within our grasp." A trace of sarcasm crept into her voice as they entered a service elevator. Gyllia entered some runes into a control panel set on the wall, and with a hiss it began sliding into the depths of the ship.

----------

Pater walked over to the chair but remained standing, hands behind his back. "You are referring to the destruction of Jolan's vessel? The fault lies with us both. However, I believe we took the correct course of action in attempting to move the vessel in case it suffered a meltdown." He shrugged stiffly, unaccustomed to the mannerism. "The fact that our actions precipitated the meltdown is... Unfortunate, to say the least."

[SirNitram]

"Some would say so, and some would excommunicate us for Heresy." Gyllia commented. "By Adeptus Mechanicus standards, we are dangerous radicals for actually seeking to understand and utilise the technology within our grasp." A trace of sarcasm crept into her voice as they entered a service elevator. Gyllia entered some runes into a control panel set on the wall, and with a hiss it began sliding into the depths of the ship.

"You'll find I run with those who seek greater understanding of technology, so as to complete the Emperor's plans." Malkamar replied, shrugging, relaxing some. "I have... Had some run-ins with the majority opinion on Mars. They don't like me."

[Typhonis]

"Shows what I know about alarm klaxons."Nathan sighed as hes sat across from Pater." Thought it was the reactor breach one not the radiation alarm one... Shows what I know about starships."

.

[Pcm979]

"I wouldn't have, once." She admitted. "But I was blessed enough to discover the truth; The Priesthood on Mars has kept its secrets so well, even it no longer knows the answers." She pointed to a vent on the wall. "Once, I would have said that applying lubricant to that and tightening the screws was an act of devotion, appeasing the ship's machine spirit. To have a Man of Iron, a virtual God to most of my colleagues, explain the true principles behind it..." She shrugged, a highly complicated manouver with her six manipulators. "It could only be described as a crisis of faith."

----------

Pater allowed himself a minute, fleeting smile. "As I said, the fault lies with us both. I shall make restitutions to Jolan as best I can, but he does not trust me."

[Typhonis]

"Let me guess you all went your seperate ways after the incident hmm? Given the nature of an inquisitor......damn......Well how have the others been doing? Was trying to find out about Lena but she seesm to be a topic that people tend to avoid."


Nathan looked at the ceiling then at Pater. "Well damage is done and I would offer Jolan something BUT I only have what is on me. May need to borrow some gear from you. "

"So....how many know I'm back or I was going to be brought back?"

[SirNitram]

"I wouldn't have, once." She admitted. "But I was blessed enough to discover the truth; The Priesthood on Mars has kept its secrets so well, even it no longer knows the answers." She pointed to a vent on the wall. "Once, I would have said that applying lubricant to that and tightening the screws was an act of devotion, appeasing the ship's machine spirit. To have a Man of Iron, a virtual God to most of my colleagues, explain the true principles behind it..." She shrugged, a highly complicated manouver with her six manipulators. "It could only be described as a crisis of faith."

"My Chapter has long been removed from Mars, and thus we are far from their ways. We recignize 'Machine Spirits' in the form of the primitive minds we can imbue in some machines. These are best kept appeased by riding into battle often and ferociously."

"Yes. A crisis of faith. I've had a few of those. Yet each time I come back to the Emperor. Perhaps I have changed from them, but I know the path is true. Though I envy you; the Man of Iron actually explained things to you. I fear I will not survive this long enough to gain such knowledge.."

[Pcm979]

"I, for one, was not informed." Pater said, with no sign of displeasure. Or pleasure. Or any emotion or sign of life, really. "I can fabricate some new equipment to your specifications in a matter of hours. I also have more appropriate quarters for you, with access to the ship's Librium. It has all the material you will require to get up to speed, and information on the Saint's career."

----------

She chuckled as the lift shuddered to a halt. "'Explained' might not be the proper term. 'Sat down and lectured, with colourful use of invective and frequent insults' would be closer to the truth. They don't think much of what's happened to the Imperium since the Emperor sat on the Throne." She left the elevator and continued talking:

"The best place to start a tour would, I think, be at the beginning." She said leadingly.

[SirNitram]

"I don't think much of it since that time." Malkamar admitted. "We are scattered and weak without a true leader. We fight defensive actions, never advancing. We create nothing new, save in imitation of our past. And in me flows the blood of the Primarches and Emperor." He sighed. "And I can't change that."

He shook his head, clearing it, as he settled in to listen.

[Typhonis]

"Thanks Pater...will need armor and weapons of course as well as ID. Basically hid in plain sight as a Guard junior officer recovering from injuries......the librarium will be helpful...need to find out WHAT we will be doing."

Nathan noted Paters reactions and such.A plan formed in his mind. He studied it set it aside and made another. "Well I wish to thank you for being such a gracious host...and I bet you would feel a bit better if your medicae gave me the once over?"