- Location
- Canada
Is it wrong for me to want to see an itehattsd reaction interlude/omake?
The Exiled Blade [40k: Eldar Rogue Trader Edition]
- Thread starter Kerashana
- Start date
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
No it isn't, but I'd love for people to put omake up. I just won't consider anything that directly effects the story cannon until I pass Sol, unless someone wants to go and give us a Grunt level view of the 'War for the Light', the small war on the Light of Terra.
The reason to wit until after Sol is that I have a few plans and some things will change, one of which is Jaeda will stop being super charged by a shard of the Emperor.
Cheers!
She's just transporting it to Terra for it to merge back with the big guy on the throne isn't she ? That will deffinetly put a crimp in her immediate interaction with Imperials, unless the golden glow can be made permanent, or she's given a custodes as a guard. Either or are clear indications of the big guy's favour.
Chap 10
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
Looking around the great hold, I frowned. The darkness was of no important, but exasperated the problems created by the tall piles of crates.
For once I was not armed with my Spear, but instead a bolter one of the Tech-Priests had dug up from somewhere when I asked about it. I had a Witchblade with me as well, but it was more a backup weapon.
The reason for the Bolter? I had a few ideas, but it's always better to get a feel for the real thing… Ok, it's a fekking bolter, why wouldn't I want to use one?
The Godwyn-De'az Pattern Bolter was actually kind of nice. Didn't mean I wasn't going to make a better version first chance I got, but there is precious little you can do to improve a Bolter. But the Bolts? Well, that was to be seen.
"Sarge, Valera, report." I called over the Vox. The three of use each leading a squad of ten men.
"I've got nothing over here, should we flare?" Valera asked, she was of course wielding a flamer and in her power armor. Fekking Pyromaniac Nuns.
"Nothing here. Respectfully Sister, that is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Regroup, then flare." Sarge replied and reprimanded my religious advisor. Someone I actually hadn't seen in, well… a while.
"Ah, yes… sorry." Valera replied contritely, thankfully not getting angry. But… she worked with an Inquisitor for how long? This should be old hat.
"Regroup on me then." I ordered, then I muttered, "Should have put more time into the drones." Really! I should have.
Switching over to the command channel, I began speaking. "Strike Gold to Beachhead, Strike Gold to Beachhead."
"This is Beachhead, Strike Gold, Status?" The operator acknowledged.
"We aren't finding anything. We're falling back to a defensible position and will be firing Flares. How are the neighboring holds going?" I reported. I mean, I was this big scary Overlady right? But having an operator was proving to be useful, and showing that I trusted my crewmen to be in a position above me had already earned me fewer glares and more nods or salutes.
"Deep hold Alpha-Alpha, and Alpha-Charlie are no sign. Alpha-Delta has run into some kind of Xenos hound." That seemed good, but…
"Is Alpha-Delta having trouble?" I asked as I led me squad to a four way intersection.
"No Ma'am, but numbers are going to make it take longer." He informed me.
Nodding, I watched as everyone started to draw close. "Good, let me know if conditions change. Strike Gold out."
Nodding to Sarge and Valera as we all regrouped, I sighed and spoke. "Ok people, get some of the crates and build some cover. Then we'll flare and-" Of course, my plans were laid to waste by the maddened screams of what could only be the 'Pale Sons' tribe.
They somehow managed to deceive the Auspex, sneak up on us, and were now jumping down from the top of the crates brandishing a variety of weapons. Some had pipes, others crude and rusted blades, and a precious few had stubbers or lasguns.
"Pop Flash." Sarge calmly declared as he did so, dropping the grenade in front of himself. We all followed, and it was a crazy mad move… if you didn't have armor that could insulate you from the effects. Not to say they were immune, not even me in my power armor, but it was nowhere as bad as the Pale Sons and exasperated by the fact the hold had been dark.
Of course, then Valera let loose with her flamer, doing something that left a burning wall across each intersection. Before just standing at an intersection and burning anyone who dared get close. Her squad following her curt orders to get on another intersection.
Meanwhile, Sarge and myself fell into firing stance, Sarge doing his job as senior NCO and bellowed everyone into position. I will give the ex-guardsmen this, they were professional. Shot after shot, with drilled precision, they dropped tribal maniac after tribal maniac. Too bad not even half of them were said professionals. The majority were the, well trained for tribals, Aquil Lejen.
For my own part, I concerved my fire, saving my shots for when the enemy tribals got too close to each other. Squinting as a group gathered just out of range, I smirked. "Push coming, on me. Grenades."
A series of affirmations were called out, and as the small horde rushed, I pulled a grenade from my belt. Pulling the pin, I counted to three, then tossed the frag. It was followed by a number more grenades. Of course, then we heard the stomping of something far, far too heavy to be just a human. "Sarge, what the fek is that I'm hearing!"
My reply was in the form of, cries of 'Mutant'.
Swearing, I turned to see a three meter tall, bulky mammoth of a mildly deformed human stomping towards our little bastion. The heavy plates of armor the thing was covered in were not making me feel any better.
"All Strikes, this is Command. All points are under assault. If you can't deal with the threat designated 'Mutant Orgym', fall back to checkpoint Theta. Heavy fire teams are in route."
Grunting, I replied, "Strike Gold reads you." Then I turned and glared at the Mutant Orgym.
Sarge was already popping frags with most of the troopers like they were party favors, and to be fair… Sister Valera was too busy burning 'heretics' to do anything. My reaction was to start pulling upon the Warp, and to empty my mag into the monstrosity.
I am happy to note that the Bolter was surprisingly effective and added to my list of human contraptions that were more elegant than it's crude seeming nature would imply. This wasn't to say it was truly elegant, but brutal efficiency was an elegance all its own.
As I fired the last round, and saw that it would not be enough, I fell back upon proper Seer training and not my innate Electrokinetic tendencies. The Rune Stone I pulled from my pouch was the Rune Stone of Destruction. A Rune Stone most commonly utilized by Warlocks, even if mine was a bit different, colored by my innate affinity. The power I had been pulling up was then directed through the Rune Stone as it orbited me.
With the Rune Stone as a filter I was able to draw in more power than was safe without it. The resulting blast of destructive Warp energies I launched, took the form of a lance of plasma wreathed in electricity.
When it slammed into the Mutant Ogrym, it punched through the armor melting a chunk of it to slag. But it still wasn't enough to kill it outright, even if it left a gaping wound and hole in the armor.
Thankfully, that was all the Troopers and allied tribals needed to start hammering it with Las and Stubber fire. From there it was just a matter of killing the stragglers.
"Alright then." I muttered, then turned to Sarge. "Take my squad as back up and circle the Hold. Vents, Doors, whatever, close them, barricade them, I don't care. I just want this place secured."
"Ma'am." He saluted and headed off with a double squad.
Valera frowned at the thing and commented, "There's something foul down here."
Shaking my head, I replied, "Doesn't matter right now, we're rendezvousing at checkpoint Theta. They're going to need the help."
I'll give them this much, even with shitty equipment the Aquil Lejen had guts, and had managed to wound one of the Mutants.
Thankfully, the Heavy weapons were not far off and I only had to throw one more Destruction. Anyways, as it turned out, the Pale Sons had withdrawn from every other conflict and were now making a fight of the Holds.
As for the other main fronts… the Warp drive had become a siege with the main forces of the Wargar Remnants throwing themselves at the Skitarii defenders. And the Prow ward push was facing more than a few Daemons. Some of which weren't Daemonette. Thankfully, the Wyrdvanes were hammering that one pretty hard, Reu having something of a bone to pick with the Neverborn, and Arashi was making a mess of their back lines with another tribe calling itself the Void Walkers.
It was only a matter of time at this rate. So I knew something was going to break, but my duties had called me off the lines once again.
Looking up from my desk and the Paperwork upon it, I raised an eyebrow at Zigurance over the Hololith. "Yes?"
He just huffed, and began speaking. "Honestly I'm just surprised you can still find time to support the cleansing of the Light with everything you have on your plate."
Looking at the paperwork in disgust, I nodded. "Yes, personel, requisitions, and whatever the fek else I have to handle. Three-four people's worth of work." That got a small cringe from him, but I just shrugged, "So, what you need Zigg."
Not bothering with fluff or pompt, he got down to business. "I've earmarked a number of components I would like to requisition to improve the Iron Blood. And I may have just the thing to pay for it."
Cocking an eyebrow at that, I shrugged. "Ok… what you got for me?"
He reached forward off 'screen', and was replaced with an image. An image of an Eldar Spire in the center of the field. The image was grainy, implying pic-capture…
That was an observation post. That was an old observation post from before the Fall… maybe even from during the War in Heaven. The wealth of knowledge it could hold, and it was shrouded too. "Well… you can claim yard time as soon as the transports are done. Just make sure you aren't screwing me."
Grinning he nodded. "No, ma'am. You may be a Xeno, but you're a good commander."
I just gave him a disbelieving frowny face, and shook my head. "Is there anything else?"
"Not right now, good luck with your paperwork." And he cut he call.
Yeah, paperwork. Sure. Turning my eyes back to the piles of Dossiers I had before me I sighed. Somehow… I think I made a good impression on the local Imperials at least.
With a sigh, I connected to the squad Noosphere. {I know you've all been briefed, so I'm just going to give you the quick and dirty on how not to get us all killed.}
The monologue I was prepared to give was interrupted by a series of acknowledgements. Which was a good thing, if unexpected. {First and most important rule. Don't get more than ten Meters from me. The defenses should register me as 'safe' but I can't say for sure, or even what will happen, what I do know is that 'Mon'Keigh' will get dead.}
Bringing up a memory of the tower, then a memory of what it should look like, I continued. {The 'Tower' is damaged, and I can't say what all will be wrong, but these were used as observation posts during the War in Heaven. Then later just as ways to keep tabs on a region. Only a few remain, and those are under either Craftworld or Corsair control.}
As we approached the area I had marked out, I finished off with. {So, basically, the best advice I can give you is, don't touch anything.}
As the compartment cycled, I sighed to myself. This would be a stupid test more than anything, I just knew it.
Leading the team across the empty void, I set foot on the structure and sent out a command for the airlock to appear. I could feel as the psychic torus reactor woke up and the tower came to like. A psychic torus reactor… if only that hadn't been willfully lost. Such power…
There was no visible sign as the tower came to life, but when the airlock appeared out of the Wraithbone hull, there was a 'burst' of interest in the Noosphere. Apparently they expected us to have to cut our way in. Savages.
As we cycled through the airlock, I got a 'feel' for the stations layout. Thus armed, I led the Priests towards the command center. They couldn't see anything, the halls blank and without doorways. Very utilitarian if smooth and rounded. But for a Psyker like myself… or maybe just Eldar? Well, I could feel the doorways and where they led. Labs, Archives, Barracks, 'engineering', it was amazing what I was seeing, this was definitely from before decadence started setting in like a foul rot.
Finally at the computer center, I led them through a door as it appeared and set about looking through the everything. It was dull, tedious and I could tell by the chatter in the Noosphere that the Tech-Priests were board, annoyed, and unhappy about this posting now. Of course, the Skitarii were indifferent.
The lack of an administrator and the time passed defaulted me into said role, but it wasn't that useful. This was a forward base used to keep tabs on the sector and coordinate against the Necrontyr. So yeah, War in Heaven era. There was a separate server with research data on the Necrontyr technologies, and there was a Library. {Right, I've set an airlock that the shuttle can dock with, and I need to retrieve a bunch of tome, some data, and check the armories for lost relics and such. On the bright side, I have a partial map of Necron Tomb Worlds.}
As I routed said map through my Noosphere proxy, one of the Tech-Priests replied. {At least this was not a complete waste of time. Will the relics be of any use to you?}
Leading them out towards the labs, I shrugged and replied, {Not to me, but we can use them for other things. We, the Aeldari, don't use money anymore. There's no point, but we understand both the concept and bartering. Depending on what there is, your superiors may be able to barter an agreement with one of the Craftworlds. Keep in mind, each Craftworld is a nation in it's own right, along with the Exodite worlds. Then take this bit of knowledge and apply it. Our politics are byzantine in nature and the only thing that will usually see them put aside is a threat to any of said nations.}
What I wasn't telling them about was the map of lost webway gates, or the data that came from the few still functional probes. Those would be useful to me though.
Sadly, there was nothing new in the armory, but I now had a few more Wraithguard bodies and a Wraithknight as well. Not to mention an large number of Eldar infantry hardwear. Something that should earn me a good bit of coin… once I didn't have the Mechanicus looking over my shoulder. Or maybe I would trade it to the Drukhari? That one was more dangerous though.
I couldn't even say what all was in the library I had recovered, and I was glad I had already set up an extra large library on the Vivian… sorry, was going to have one. The Vivian would be in the yard for at least a year, with the Light of Terra being stuck here for three to five years depending upon how bad everything was… and that was just to get the essential systems running, not weapons or repairing the armor.
Yeah, we were looking at a year maybe two year long voyage to get to Terra.
All told, my return to the Pioneer was short as I had to return with another shuttle to get all of it back, and even then, it was only me in the shuttles hold. This was actually a good thing, because it allowed me to set a few defenses and more importantly, to get a message off to Craftworld Yme-Loc that I would be looking to talk with them concerning an artifact I had recovered and that they should contact me at their earliest convenience. Mostly because that's what they would be doing anyways.
The Mechanicus was holding an 'Account' in my name, my earnings being pooled in it to be claimed at my leisure. Something I was dubious of, but well… They had more guns.
As for the crew being shipped in and more specifically the crew of the Vivian, I had a great many to look over and that was just for the command level. At the end of the day though, I knew who I was grabbing. Even if one of them would more than likely be taken away from me at Sol. But hey! Maybe not.
Julice Hardy had taken my offer to Captain the Vivian for me, handling the day-to-day and helping me ease into a more active role. Roth Harrington was going to be filling the role of First Officer, just in case I was right about Hardy. Not that they knew. Cornelius Oak was put out when he found out he wasn't going to be the Enginseer Prime, but when I explained that he was to be the 'Chief Researcher' he let it go with only a little grumbling. Of course Tobius was happy to remain Astropath Primus, but insisted that I allow him to train Luara for the task. Which was fine by me, he was old and didn't need to constantly be dealing with the stress management generated.
Then there was the host of others I had picked out from available personnel. But I was waiting for two of them, two of the most important actually considering Philip had declined to transfer over to the Vivian. Not sure of his reasoning, but… well, he was from a pretty powerful house, so there had to be a good one.
When the chime for my suits door came, I was in the middle of reviewing the list of salvaged parts. So, with a sigh of relief, I got up and headed for the door. When I opened it, I found my new recruits both, Kiki Tythus and Ooyodo Ozawa. This first was my new Navigator Primus, the other was… now that I could see her, a tiny human with canted eyes almost like those of my own people. Kind of. Anyways, she was to be my Logistics Officer, and there was only a minor bit of discontent at the use of that title instead of the High Fektorum or whatever it was.
Looking at them both, I smirked and waved them in. "Well, I didn't expect you both to get here at the same time. So, I hope you like the Pioneer, the Vivian won't be livable for a time yet."
They walked in at my invention and Ooyodo nodded at my words, saying, "Yes, another four months and three days before the command decks and officer quarters are put into order, another two months estimated before the ship is livable, and five months estimated after that before it is finished."
Blinking at that, I nodded slowly, "That sounds like the right numbers… were did you get all of that from?"
Giving me a blank stare, she replied, "I read the briefing material."
Kiki was looking around my lounge with an air of interest, and I couldn't help but frown at her. Ooyodo was in the dress uniform, the collapsable helmet on her belt. What? I made sure all the uniforms were void sealed! It would only give her a half hour of air but that should be enough to get to an air tank. But anyways, Kiki was… wearing the undersuit and pants for the duty uniform, but she had forgone the coat for her own brown long coat, the patch for my dynasty sloppily sewn onto on shoulder, and the patch I had designed for the Vivian on the other. The first patch being my house signet, and the second being an open armed woman on a Lapis background. The ships motto 'Virtus, Gladius Et Memoria' was written under the image with the ship's name above it.
"Right, have a seat." I waved at my comfie common room, then walked over to my room/office. "Kiki, your first."
The Navigator followed me, and as I sat at my desk, I caught her looking around my spartan room, eyes lingering on where I had the gods awful dress the Big E had given me hanging. "From the your Dossier I understand that you're from a small 'Renegade' Navigator House?"
The Navigator seemed to turn wary, but nodded and hesitantly replied. "Ah… kind of? We're somewhere between that and a Shrouded House."
Looking her in the eye, I spoke. "I understand that you have all of your small House here at the Lost Ground or on Port Wander. I'm willing to offer your House a place in my Dynasty, and my Vagabond-Class Transports, the Gypsy Song."
She just blinked at me for a time before slowly nodding. "I will have to speak with the Novator. Ah, what is it you wish for me to do for now?"
Picking up the Dossier, I looked over the fact she was noted to be traveling with her little sister, a five year old. I raised an eye at her, then shook my head. "See if Philip is willing to teach you anything? I don't really know. Maybe collate all the charts from all my ships?"
She looked unhappy, but nodded. "I can do that. There, ah, isn't going to be a problem with my sister, is there?"
Rolling my eyes, I shook my head, "No. I love children, children are the future. Just understand that she will be getting schooled."
"Yes, Ma'am." Kiki agreed now smiling.
As she left, I had her send in Ooyodo. Now, I mentioned her canted eyes, but it was uncanny looking at her. Not in some disgusting way, but… odd. She was thin and delicate looking, almost tall and lithe except… she wasn't tall. She was maybe five something, and aside from her uniform she had a naval saber on one hip, a naval stubber at the small of her back, and on her other hip she had a Cogitator hanging from her belt as well as several books that looked like they might be ledgers. Of note was the pair of glasses she wore which had a wire trailing down to her Cogitator. "Ma'am?"
"I assume you know what role I'm hoping you will fill?" I asked blandly.
This actually got some reaction out of her, and she nodded, saying, "You wish for me to be your High Factotum." The reaction being an undercurrents of hope and anticipation.
Wobbling a hand a bit, I replied, "Kind of, the title is Chief Logistics Officer. You get to be in charge of my Dynasties vast armies of Logistic Officers, Stewards, and the like. You will be submitting monthly reports on my budget, the state of supplies, Investments, and anything else I'm missing."
Holding up her Dossier, I continued, "If I'm parsing this right, some High Fektorem or whatever has noticed your work and wants you to go away before you take their job. So, here you are. Being transferred out of the Emperor's Navy to some 'uppity' Xeno playing at being a Rogue Trader. That sound about right?" And like that her carefully blanked mannerisms melted away.
With big fat tears forming in her eyes, she sniffled in what was only partly faked sorrow, "D-does that m-mean you're s-sending m-m-me b-back?"
Reaching out I bopped her on the head with the folder of paper, "No kid, I'm not. I just want you to understand where you stand. That is to say, you are now the Second most important person in my Dynasty." The way her eyes went large at that was quite amusing, "Prove your worth. Aid in my endeavors, insure my success, and you shall reap the reward."
Letting my face fall into absolute seriousness, I finished with, "Betray me and the Drukhari will have to invent new concepts to describe your suffering."
But… she had seemed so nice, so… human! Then she had spoken of what would happen to her if she betrayed her. Ooyodo did not know what a Drukhari was… but from the sounds of it, they were a rather unpleasant race of Xenos.
Xenos! She was working for a Xenos! What must her parents think of her!
But the Lord-Captain hadn't been wrong. She had come to the notice of some rather unsavory types. The High Factotum of The Gryphon… and several officers above her who had been trying to use their rank to force her into… into… into their beds!
It was actually a relief to know she would be too high of a rank for that to happen again… unless!
Ooyodo strangled an eep and a blush at the thought of the Lord-Captain doing that! It was unwholesome! So perverse! There was no way she would do that… right? Right!
Her own quarters weren't too far from the Rogue Traders… from her bosses. Her boss- that sounded good but- not quite good enough… But her quarters were nearby, a good thing because she was tired from the journey here, then her meeting… and uhg.
Tomorrow would see her having to dive into the work, and getting it all sorted out. Oh the glorious spreadsheets!
Making her way into the common room she shared with… people she didn't know. Ooyodo looked around before noticing a small child wearing a purple robe. The sight of the third eye upon her brow was disturbing, and the solid black nature of her eyes just made it worse. But she was a child, and though she was a Mutant, she was not one that should be scorned.
Smiling, ignoring the twinge in her head, Ooyodo asked, "And who might you be?"
Goggling up at her, the child replied her face going red like she had been caught sneaking cookies. "I'm Myra. Who are you?"
Smirking, Ooyodo introduced herself. "It's nice to meet you Myra, I'm Ooyodo Ozawa."
"Uido- oodoi… Odo. It's nice to meet you Miss Odo!" The adorable little kid replied. It kind of hurt to admit that most people had trouble even saying her name. But at least it wasn't the worst nickname she had been given.
"Myra, I thought I told you-" Came Kiki's voice, but she stopped mid sentence upon seeing Ooyodo. "Oh, Ooydo, right?"
Rolling her eyes, she shook her head and replied. "Ooyodo."
"Right, sorry. Ooyodo. Didn't realize we were sharing a living space." Kiki amended.
Reaching out, she ruffled the kids hair and replied. "I was here earlier, but made sure to introduce myself to the acting Captain before meeting the Lord-Captain."
Raising an eyebrow, Kiki collapsed into an armchair. "Captain? Lord-Captain?"
"Didn't you read your briefing packet?" Ooyodo asked, glancing at her room before sighing and taking a seat on the sofa, Myra plopping down next to her.
"You crazy? That thing was massive! I just got far enough to know the Inquisition wasn't going to burn us all at the stake before giving up." Complained Kiki, before sighing, "Of course, they might anyways."
Ooyodo winced, because she had been trying not to think about that. "She has apparently made Julice Hardy her acting Captain and even left the Squadron to him. Of course, that was before she had more than two ships."
Sniggering, Kiki asked, "Why not Farseer then?"
Shaking her head, Ooyodo shot that down. "Apparently she really hates Farseers."
Kiki raising an eyebrow she asking. "Ok then… So, why are the Cogs so gung-ho about her?"
Oh, great… briefing time. Ooyodo sighed internally, "It's apparently because she brought in an archive of STC fragments, has a Warrant signed by the God-Emperor himself, is duty bound to see a Battleship returned to service, and lets not forget, led them to the richest salvage ground found in millenia, where said Battleship would and did appear. If she was human people would be declaring her a Living Saint. As it is, some of the lowers are treating her as one anyways. It's kind of creepy."
Three big, round and innocent eyes looked at them, and then Myra asked, "Is she a gawd?"
Both adults blinked at that for a few moments before Kiki spoke, "God, Myra, god, and I don't think so?"
Laughing a little, Ooyodo shook her head, "I sure hope Gods don't have that much paperwork." Getting up, she stretched and headed for her room. "I'm going to get some sleep before I start digging into the mess of paperwork I earned myself by taking this job."
"Nighty-Night!" Myra called after her.
For once I was not armed with my Spear, but instead a bolter one of the Tech-Priests had dug up from somewhere when I asked about it. I had a Witchblade with me as well, but it was more a backup weapon.
The reason for the Bolter? I had a few ideas, but it's always better to get a feel for the real thing… Ok, it's a fekking bolter, why wouldn't I want to use one?
The Godwyn-De'az Pattern Bolter was actually kind of nice. Didn't mean I wasn't going to make a better version first chance I got, but there is precious little you can do to improve a Bolter. But the Bolts? Well, that was to be seen.
"Sarge, Valera, report." I called over the Vox. The three of use each leading a squad of ten men.
"I've got nothing over here, should we flare?" Valera asked, she was of course wielding a flamer and in her power armor. Fekking Pyromaniac Nuns.
"Nothing here. Respectfully Sister, that is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Regroup, then flare." Sarge replied and reprimanded my religious advisor. Someone I actually hadn't seen in, well… a while.
"Ah, yes… sorry." Valera replied contritely, thankfully not getting angry. But… she worked with an Inquisitor for how long? This should be old hat.
"Regroup on me then." I ordered, then I muttered, "Should have put more time into the drones." Really! I should have.
Switching over to the command channel, I began speaking. "Strike Gold to Beachhead, Strike Gold to Beachhead."
"This is Beachhead, Strike Gold, Status?" The operator acknowledged.
"We aren't finding anything. We're falling back to a defensible position and will be firing Flares. How are the neighboring holds going?" I reported. I mean, I was this big scary Overlady right? But having an operator was proving to be useful, and showing that I trusted my crewmen to be in a position above me had already earned me fewer glares and more nods or salutes.
"Deep hold Alpha-Alpha, and Alpha-Charlie are no sign. Alpha-Delta has run into some kind of Xenos hound." That seemed good, but…
"Is Alpha-Delta having trouble?" I asked as I led me squad to a four way intersection.
"No Ma'am, but numbers are going to make it take longer." He informed me.
Nodding, I watched as everyone started to draw close. "Good, let me know if conditions change. Strike Gold out."
Nodding to Sarge and Valera as we all regrouped, I sighed and spoke. "Ok people, get some of the crates and build some cover. Then we'll flare and-" Of course, my plans were laid to waste by the maddened screams of what could only be the 'Pale Sons' tribe.
They somehow managed to deceive the Auspex, sneak up on us, and were now jumping down from the top of the crates brandishing a variety of weapons. Some had pipes, others crude and rusted blades, and a precious few had stubbers or lasguns.
"Pop Flash." Sarge calmly declared as he did so, dropping the grenade in front of himself. We all followed, and it was a crazy mad move… if you didn't have armor that could insulate you from the effects. Not to say they were immune, not even me in my power armor, but it was nowhere as bad as the Pale Sons and exasperated by the fact the hold had been dark.
Of course, then Valera let loose with her flamer, doing something that left a burning wall across each intersection. Before just standing at an intersection and burning anyone who dared get close. Her squad following her curt orders to get on another intersection.
Meanwhile, Sarge and myself fell into firing stance, Sarge doing his job as senior NCO and bellowed everyone into position. I will give the ex-guardsmen this, they were professional. Shot after shot, with drilled precision, they dropped tribal maniac after tribal maniac. Too bad not even half of them were said professionals. The majority were the, well trained for tribals, Aquil Lejen.
For my own part, I concerved my fire, saving my shots for when the enemy tribals got too close to each other. Squinting as a group gathered just out of range, I smirked. "Push coming, on me. Grenades."
A series of affirmations were called out, and as the small horde rushed, I pulled a grenade from my belt. Pulling the pin, I counted to three, then tossed the frag. It was followed by a number more grenades. Of course, then we heard the stomping of something far, far too heavy to be just a human. "Sarge, what the fek is that I'm hearing!"
My reply was in the form of, cries of 'Mutant'.
Swearing, I turned to see a three meter tall, bulky mammoth of a mildly deformed human stomping towards our little bastion. The heavy plates of armor the thing was covered in were not making me feel any better.
"All Strikes, this is Command. All points are under assault. If you can't deal with the threat designated 'Mutant Orgym', fall back to checkpoint Theta. Heavy fire teams are in route."
Grunting, I replied, "Strike Gold reads you." Then I turned and glared at the Mutant Orgym.
Sarge was already popping frags with most of the troopers like they were party favors, and to be fair… Sister Valera was too busy burning 'heretics' to do anything. My reaction was to start pulling upon the Warp, and to empty my mag into the monstrosity.
I am happy to note that the Bolter was surprisingly effective and added to my list of human contraptions that were more elegant than it's crude seeming nature would imply. This wasn't to say it was truly elegant, but brutal efficiency was an elegance all its own.
As I fired the last round, and saw that it would not be enough, I fell back upon proper Seer training and not my innate Electrokinetic tendencies. The Rune Stone I pulled from my pouch was the Rune Stone of Destruction. A Rune Stone most commonly utilized by Warlocks, even if mine was a bit different, colored by my innate affinity. The power I had been pulling up was then directed through the Rune Stone as it orbited me.
With the Rune Stone as a filter I was able to draw in more power than was safe without it. The resulting blast of destructive Warp energies I launched, took the form of a lance of plasma wreathed in electricity.
When it slammed into the Mutant Ogrym, it punched through the armor melting a chunk of it to slag. But it still wasn't enough to kill it outright, even if it left a gaping wound and hole in the armor.
Thankfully, that was all the Troopers and allied tribals needed to start hammering it with Las and Stubber fire. From there it was just a matter of killing the stragglers.
"Alright then." I muttered, then turned to Sarge. "Take my squad as back up and circle the Hold. Vents, Doors, whatever, close them, barricade them, I don't care. I just want this place secured."
"Ma'am." He saluted and headed off with a double squad.
Valera frowned at the thing and commented, "There's something foul down here."
Shaking my head, I replied, "Doesn't matter right now, we're rendezvousing at checkpoint Theta. They're going to need the help."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had been right. We lost Strike Indego outright and Strike Yellow was down to half strength, the Aqil Lejen standing their ground to hold off three fekking Mutant Ogryms that appeared in Hold Alpha-Delta.I'll give them this much, even with shitty equipment the Aquil Lejen had guts, and had managed to wound one of the Mutants.
Thankfully, the Heavy weapons were not far off and I only had to throw one more Destruction. Anyways, as it turned out, the Pale Sons had withdrawn from every other conflict and were now making a fight of the Holds.
As for the other main fronts… the Warp drive had become a siege with the main forces of the Wargar Remnants throwing themselves at the Skitarii defenders. And the Prow ward push was facing more than a few Daemons. Some of which weren't Daemonette. Thankfully, the Wyrdvanes were hammering that one pretty hard, Reu having something of a bone to pick with the Neverborn, and Arashi was making a mess of their back lines with another tribe calling itself the Void Walkers.
It was only a matter of time at this rate. So I knew something was going to break, but my duties had called me off the lines once again.
Looking up from my desk and the Paperwork upon it, I raised an eyebrow at Zigurance over the Hololith. "Yes?"
He just huffed, and began speaking. "Honestly I'm just surprised you can still find time to support the cleansing of the Light with everything you have on your plate."
Looking at the paperwork in disgust, I nodded. "Yes, personel, requisitions, and whatever the fek else I have to handle. Three-four people's worth of work." That got a small cringe from him, but I just shrugged, "So, what you need Zigg."
Not bothering with fluff or pompt, he got down to business. "I've earmarked a number of components I would like to requisition to improve the Iron Blood. And I may have just the thing to pay for it."
Cocking an eyebrow at that, I shrugged. "Ok… what you got for me?"
He reached forward off 'screen', and was replaced with an image. An image of an Eldar Spire in the center of the field. The image was grainy, implying pic-capture…
That was an observation post. That was an old observation post from before the Fall… maybe even from during the War in Heaven. The wealth of knowledge it could hold, and it was shrouded too. "Well… you can claim yard time as soon as the transports are done. Just make sure you aren't screwing me."
Grinning he nodded. "No, ma'am. You may be a Xeno, but you're a good commander."
I just gave him a disbelieving frowny face, and shook my head. "Is there anything else?"
"Not right now, good luck with your paperwork." And he cut he call.
Yeah, paperwork. Sure. Turning my eyes back to the piles of Dossiers I had before me I sighed. Somehow… I think I made a good impression on the local Imperials at least.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Looking around the shuttle, I sighed, then nodded. There was a short squad of Skitarii and several Tech-Priests with me because apparently the structure was now of interest to them. Not like they could use any of it!With a sigh, I connected to the squad Noosphere. {I know you've all been briefed, so I'm just going to give you the quick and dirty on how not to get us all killed.}
The monologue I was prepared to give was interrupted by a series of acknowledgements. Which was a good thing, if unexpected. {First and most important rule. Don't get more than ten Meters from me. The defenses should register me as 'safe' but I can't say for sure, or even what will happen, what I do know is that 'Mon'Keigh' will get dead.}
Bringing up a memory of the tower, then a memory of what it should look like, I continued. {The 'Tower' is damaged, and I can't say what all will be wrong, but these were used as observation posts during the War in Heaven. Then later just as ways to keep tabs on a region. Only a few remain, and those are under either Craftworld or Corsair control.}
As we approached the area I had marked out, I finished off with. {So, basically, the best advice I can give you is, don't touch anything.}
As the compartment cycled, I sighed to myself. This would be a stupid test more than anything, I just knew it.
Leading the team across the empty void, I set foot on the structure and sent out a command for the airlock to appear. I could feel as the psychic torus reactor woke up and the tower came to like. A psychic torus reactor… if only that hadn't been willfully lost. Such power…
There was no visible sign as the tower came to life, but when the airlock appeared out of the Wraithbone hull, there was a 'burst' of interest in the Noosphere. Apparently they expected us to have to cut our way in. Savages.
As we cycled through the airlock, I got a 'feel' for the stations layout. Thus armed, I led the Priests towards the command center. They couldn't see anything, the halls blank and without doorways. Very utilitarian if smooth and rounded. But for a Psyker like myself… or maybe just Eldar? Well, I could feel the doorways and where they led. Labs, Archives, Barracks, 'engineering', it was amazing what I was seeing, this was definitely from before decadence started setting in like a foul rot.
Finally at the computer center, I led them through a door as it appeared and set about looking through the everything. It was dull, tedious and I could tell by the chatter in the Noosphere that the Tech-Priests were board, annoyed, and unhappy about this posting now. Of course, the Skitarii were indifferent.
The lack of an administrator and the time passed defaulted me into said role, but it wasn't that useful. This was a forward base used to keep tabs on the sector and coordinate against the Necrontyr. So yeah, War in Heaven era. There was a separate server with research data on the Necrontyr technologies, and there was a Library. {Right, I've set an airlock that the shuttle can dock with, and I need to retrieve a bunch of tome, some data, and check the armories for lost relics and such. On the bright side, I have a partial map of Necron Tomb Worlds.}
As I routed said map through my Noosphere proxy, one of the Tech-Priests replied. {At least this was not a complete waste of time. Will the relics be of any use to you?}
Leading them out towards the labs, I shrugged and replied, {Not to me, but we can use them for other things. We, the Aeldari, don't use money anymore. There's no point, but we understand both the concept and bartering. Depending on what there is, your superiors may be able to barter an agreement with one of the Craftworlds. Keep in mind, each Craftworld is a nation in it's own right, along with the Exodite worlds. Then take this bit of knowledge and apply it. Our politics are byzantine in nature and the only thing that will usually see them put aside is a threat to any of said nations.}
What I wasn't telling them about was the map of lost webway gates, or the data that came from the few still functional probes. Those would be useful to me though.
Sadly, there was nothing new in the armory, but I now had a few more Wraithguard bodies and a Wraithknight as well. Not to mention an large number of Eldar infantry hardwear. Something that should earn me a good bit of coin… once I didn't have the Mechanicus looking over my shoulder. Or maybe I would trade it to the Drukhari? That one was more dangerous though.
I couldn't even say what all was in the library I had recovered, and I was glad I had already set up an extra large library on the Vivian… sorry, was going to have one. The Vivian would be in the yard for at least a year, with the Light of Terra being stuck here for three to five years depending upon how bad everything was… and that was just to get the essential systems running, not weapons or repairing the armor.
Yeah, we were looking at a year maybe two year long voyage to get to Terra.
All told, my return to the Pioneer was short as I had to return with another shuttle to get all of it back, and even then, it was only me in the shuttles hold. This was actually a good thing, because it allowed me to set a few defenses and more importantly, to get a message off to Craftworld Yme-Loc that I would be looking to talk with them concerning an artifact I had recovered and that they should contact me at their earliest convenience. Mostly because that's what they would be doing anyways.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once more at my desk, performing the mystic rites of bureaucracy, I found myself annoyed that I would be stuck here for so long. I couldn't even keep building a fleet here, after all, I wouldn't be able to support too much more. Not with the need to ship in crew, repair all these ships and keep salvage operations going. As it was I was 'selling' off most of the ships my interests were salvaging. After claiming several more Jerichos. One of those actually being a fuel hauler.The Mechanicus was holding an 'Account' in my name, my earnings being pooled in it to be claimed at my leisure. Something I was dubious of, but well… They had more guns.
As for the crew being shipped in and more specifically the crew of the Vivian, I had a great many to look over and that was just for the command level. At the end of the day though, I knew who I was grabbing. Even if one of them would more than likely be taken away from me at Sol. But hey! Maybe not.
Julice Hardy had taken my offer to Captain the Vivian for me, handling the day-to-day and helping me ease into a more active role. Roth Harrington was going to be filling the role of First Officer, just in case I was right about Hardy. Not that they knew. Cornelius Oak was put out when he found out he wasn't going to be the Enginseer Prime, but when I explained that he was to be the 'Chief Researcher' he let it go with only a little grumbling. Of course Tobius was happy to remain Astropath Primus, but insisted that I allow him to train Luara for the task. Which was fine by me, he was old and didn't need to constantly be dealing with the stress management generated.
Then there was the host of others I had picked out from available personnel. But I was waiting for two of them, two of the most important actually considering Philip had declined to transfer over to the Vivian. Not sure of his reasoning, but… well, he was from a pretty powerful house, so there had to be a good one.
When the chime for my suits door came, I was in the middle of reviewing the list of salvaged parts. So, with a sigh of relief, I got up and headed for the door. When I opened it, I found my new recruits both, Kiki Tythus and Ooyodo Ozawa. This first was my new Navigator Primus, the other was… now that I could see her, a tiny human with canted eyes almost like those of my own people. Kind of. Anyways, she was to be my Logistics Officer, and there was only a minor bit of discontent at the use of that title instead of the High Fektorum or whatever it was.
Looking at them both, I smirked and waved them in. "Well, I didn't expect you both to get here at the same time. So, I hope you like the Pioneer, the Vivian won't be livable for a time yet."
They walked in at my invention and Ooyodo nodded at my words, saying, "Yes, another four months and three days before the command decks and officer quarters are put into order, another two months estimated before the ship is livable, and five months estimated after that before it is finished."
Blinking at that, I nodded slowly, "That sounds like the right numbers… were did you get all of that from?"
Giving me a blank stare, she replied, "I read the briefing material."
Kiki was looking around my lounge with an air of interest, and I couldn't help but frown at her. Ooyodo was in the dress uniform, the collapsable helmet on her belt. What? I made sure all the uniforms were void sealed! It would only give her a half hour of air but that should be enough to get to an air tank. But anyways, Kiki was… wearing the undersuit and pants for the duty uniform, but she had forgone the coat for her own brown long coat, the patch for my dynasty sloppily sewn onto on shoulder, and the patch I had designed for the Vivian on the other. The first patch being my house signet, and the second being an open armed woman on a Lapis background. The ships motto 'Virtus, Gladius Et Memoria' was written under the image with the ship's name above it.
"Right, have a seat." I waved at my comfie common room, then walked over to my room/office. "Kiki, your first."
The Navigator followed me, and as I sat at my desk, I caught her looking around my spartan room, eyes lingering on where I had the gods awful dress the Big E had given me hanging. "From the your Dossier I understand that you're from a small 'Renegade' Navigator House?"
The Navigator seemed to turn wary, but nodded and hesitantly replied. "Ah… kind of? We're somewhere between that and a Shrouded House."
Looking her in the eye, I spoke. "I understand that you have all of your small House here at the Lost Ground or on Port Wander. I'm willing to offer your House a place in my Dynasty, and my Vagabond-Class Transports, the Gypsy Song."
She just blinked at me for a time before slowly nodding. "I will have to speak with the Novator. Ah, what is it you wish for me to do for now?"
Picking up the Dossier, I looked over the fact she was noted to be traveling with her little sister, a five year old. I raised an eye at her, then shook my head. "See if Philip is willing to teach you anything? I don't really know. Maybe collate all the charts from all my ships?"
She looked unhappy, but nodded. "I can do that. There, ah, isn't going to be a problem with my sister, is there?"
Rolling my eyes, I shook my head, "No. I love children, children are the future. Just understand that she will be getting schooled."
"Yes, Ma'am." Kiki agreed now smiling.
As she left, I had her send in Ooyodo. Now, I mentioned her canted eyes, but it was uncanny looking at her. Not in some disgusting way, but… odd. She was thin and delicate looking, almost tall and lithe except… she wasn't tall. She was maybe five something, and aside from her uniform she had a naval saber on one hip, a naval stubber at the small of her back, and on her other hip she had a Cogitator hanging from her belt as well as several books that looked like they might be ledgers. Of note was the pair of glasses she wore which had a wire trailing down to her Cogitator. "Ma'am?"
"I assume you know what role I'm hoping you will fill?" I asked blandly.
This actually got some reaction out of her, and she nodded, saying, "You wish for me to be your High Factotum." The reaction being an undercurrents of hope and anticipation.
Wobbling a hand a bit, I replied, "Kind of, the title is Chief Logistics Officer. You get to be in charge of my Dynasties vast armies of Logistic Officers, Stewards, and the like. You will be submitting monthly reports on my budget, the state of supplies, Investments, and anything else I'm missing."
Holding up her Dossier, I continued, "If I'm parsing this right, some High Fektorem or whatever has noticed your work and wants you to go away before you take their job. So, here you are. Being transferred out of the Emperor's Navy to some 'uppity' Xeno playing at being a Rogue Trader. That sound about right?" And like that her carefully blanked mannerisms melted away.
With big fat tears forming in her eyes, she sniffled in what was only partly faked sorrow, "D-does that m-mean you're s-sending m-m-me b-back?"
Reaching out I bopped her on the head with the folder of paper, "No kid, I'm not. I just want you to understand where you stand. That is to say, you are now the Second most important person in my Dynasty." The way her eyes went large at that was quite amusing, "Prove your worth. Aid in my endeavors, insure my success, and you shall reap the reward."
Letting my face fall into absolute seriousness, I finished with, "Betray me and the Drukhari will have to invent new concepts to describe your suffering."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jittering slightly, Ooyodo stumbled down the hall away from the Lord-Captain's… home. It had been nice, well furnished and tasteful… except for that god awful dress she had hanging in her personal quarters. Why!But… she had seemed so nice, so… human! Then she had spoken of what would happen to her if she betrayed her. Ooyodo did not know what a Drukhari was… but from the sounds of it, they were a rather unpleasant race of Xenos.
Xenos! She was working for a Xenos! What must her parents think of her!
But the Lord-Captain hadn't been wrong. She had come to the notice of some rather unsavory types. The High Factotum of The Gryphon… and several officers above her who had been trying to use their rank to force her into… into… into their beds!
It was actually a relief to know she would be too high of a rank for that to happen again… unless!
Ooyodo strangled an eep and a blush at the thought of the Lord-Captain doing that! It was unwholesome! So perverse! There was no way she would do that… right? Right!
Her own quarters weren't too far from the Rogue Traders… from her bosses. Her boss- that sounded good but- not quite good enough… But her quarters were nearby, a good thing because she was tired from the journey here, then her meeting… and uhg.
Tomorrow would see her having to dive into the work, and getting it all sorted out. Oh the glorious spreadsheets!
Making her way into the common room she shared with… people she didn't know. Ooyodo looked around before noticing a small child wearing a purple robe. The sight of the third eye upon her brow was disturbing, and the solid black nature of her eyes just made it worse. But she was a child, and though she was a Mutant, she was not one that should be scorned.
Smiling, ignoring the twinge in her head, Ooyodo asked, "And who might you be?"
Goggling up at her, the child replied her face going red like she had been caught sneaking cookies. "I'm Myra. Who are you?"
Smirking, Ooyodo introduced herself. "It's nice to meet you Myra, I'm Ooyodo Ozawa."
"Uido- oodoi… Odo. It's nice to meet you Miss Odo!" The adorable little kid replied. It kind of hurt to admit that most people had trouble even saying her name. But at least it wasn't the worst nickname she had been given.
"Myra, I thought I told you-" Came Kiki's voice, but she stopped mid sentence upon seeing Ooyodo. "Oh, Ooydo, right?"
Rolling her eyes, she shook her head and replied. "Ooyodo."
"Right, sorry. Ooyodo. Didn't realize we were sharing a living space." Kiki amended.
Reaching out, she ruffled the kids hair and replied. "I was here earlier, but made sure to introduce myself to the acting Captain before meeting the Lord-Captain."
Raising an eyebrow, Kiki collapsed into an armchair. "Captain? Lord-Captain?"
"Didn't you read your briefing packet?" Ooyodo asked, glancing at her room before sighing and taking a seat on the sofa, Myra plopping down next to her.
"You crazy? That thing was massive! I just got far enough to know the Inquisition wasn't going to burn us all at the stake before giving up." Complained Kiki, before sighing, "Of course, they might anyways."
Ooyodo winced, because she had been trying not to think about that. "She has apparently made Julice Hardy her acting Captain and even left the Squadron to him. Of course, that was before she had more than two ships."
Sniggering, Kiki asked, "Why not Farseer then?"
Shaking her head, Ooyodo shot that down. "Apparently she really hates Farseers."
Kiki raising an eyebrow she asking. "Ok then… So, why are the Cogs so gung-ho about her?"
Oh, great… briefing time. Ooyodo sighed internally, "It's apparently because she brought in an archive of STC fragments, has a Warrant signed by the God-Emperor himself, is duty bound to see a Battleship returned to service, and lets not forget, led them to the richest salvage ground found in millenia, where said Battleship would and did appear. If she was human people would be declaring her a Living Saint. As it is, some of the lowers are treating her as one anyways. It's kind of creepy."
Three big, round and innocent eyes looked at them, and then Myra asked, "Is she a gawd?"
Both adults blinked at that for a few moments before Kiki spoke, "God, Myra, god, and I don't think so?"
Laughing a little, Ooyodo shook her head, "I sure hope Gods don't have that much paperwork." Getting up, she stretched and headed for her room. "I'm going to get some sleep before I start digging into the mess of paperwork I earned myself by taking this job."
"Nighty-Night!" Myra called after her.
- Location
- North America
What an adorable little mutant.
Terror Incarnate; The New Warp Gods
- Location
- England
That gives me the idea for an AU W40K setting. One where there are four warp gods:
* Korn - the god of bland food and vitamins.
* Tzeelch - the god of boredom and endless schedules
* Noogle - the god of late retirement, antiseptics and overly starched bed linen.
* Vamoosh - the god of parental oversight, New Tumblr(tm) and Christian Porn.
Forget the promise of progress and understanding, for in the grim pale-grey future there is only bore.
Tzeelch shifted one more pile of paper from the mountain to his left, glanced over it, and placed it on the mountain to his right. Around him lesser demons of Order, their mouths twisted in endless yawns, brought more reports from all over the stagnant warp and placed them before him. Deep below the oldest layers were slowly compressed into coal.
"Digestive?" asked Korn.
"No. No thank you." Tzeelch, replied. Distracted from his calculations for a moment - would one hour be enough to summarize the minutes of the previous meeting? Should they still be called minutes if they were in fact hours?
"Tea?" Korn continued, "I have decaffinated semi-skimmed and a nice herbal jasmine infusion."
"No. Thank you, again." Tzeelch stated, a little more firmly.
"Good news, Tzeelch!" Noogle suddenly shouted from the office door. At once a few yards and several miles away. "I rechecked and it turns out you do still have some sick days you can claim. You just need to get a form 487-9876-Ω-ܒ filled-in in triplicate. Don't forget to have it notarized by a notary public and you'll need to hand it in within the next ... 23 nanoseconds."
Sometimes Tzeelch wondered if their efforts to bring the galaxy into a new age of enlightenment were really worth it. Sure, it had been 35 thousand years since the Ironhard uprising of the sentient Internet AIs had been finally put down, mainly due to Vamoosh's sterling efforts. Who would have thought that removing all Rule 34 content from their servers would have been that demoralizing? The orks were now peaceful tribes of lawyers, although people still wisely fled from them on sight, and it turns out that the Tyranids were just really into topiary. Like, REALLY into it. Obviously nobody wanted to go back to the bad old days, but shouldn't there be something ... more to life?
He decided to think about it, later.
After he caught up with the paperwork.
Finagle007
[Verified Great Old One]
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
When someone asks you if you're a god...
- Location
- East of Sun, West of Moon
The Inquisition may be the only organisation with the authority to unilaterally declare Exterminatus and destroy a world, but the Administratum can not only make worlds vanish, they can also bring them back, turn them from frozen wastes to murderous jungles to burning cookers to overcrowded hives, and anything inbetween, with but a few forms.
Which organisation do you think has the most power?
Which organisation do you think has the most power?
Neruz
Rogue Spiderbanana
- Location
- The Land of Fire and Poison
Don't worry Ooyodo, the xenos is Emperor Sanctioned so you can safely have perverse thoughts about her without committing heresy.
The Administratum can and does lose entire starsystems for millennia purely by accident.
The Administratum can and does lose entire starsystems for millennia purely by accident.
- Location
- Pale Blue Dot
...wait. You mean that among the fanatically religious Imperials, there is now one (1) Eldar it's not heretical to have naughty thoughts about? *sigh* Poor Jaeda.
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
Jaeda: Okay.... then... I'm just going to go hide behind my paperwork.
- Location
- Asia
Whew, caught up with the story. Great work so far.
Chap 11
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
A/N: Great gibbily giblets! I almost missed posting because I lost track of the day! Sorry all.
A/N 2: I need someone who's good at writing space battles to take a look at the one I have and help me expand it and/or make it better. PM me, yeah?
Now they were answer to the callsign Foehammer, the Cresistauead… the humans painting their armor Slate and Sage to match his body.
Sweeping the last hold, Reu gave a mental frown. He could feel the taint of the Ruinous here. The Seers didn't seem to notice, and the squads of human guardians certainly didn't, all but blind without the gift of sight… without Psychic powers. All but blind, but not toothless.
"Reu to all Strikes. There is something present." After rumbling that out over their primitive Vox systems, he proceeded to head for the threat.
Fingering his axe, Reu turned the corner around a stack of crates, and immediately lunged into an attack.
The thing was massive, easily bigger than a Wraithknight. A being of pale white flesh and far too much fat. It, she, looked as if she could barely wadle. But as it hit Reu, it proved lie to that, as it seemed to be imbued with some form of unnatural strength and agility.
The Seers saw him get sent flying and didn't quite start gibbering in terror, but it was a near thing. They all lashed out with a variety of attacks, and one of them proved to have the presence of mind to warn the guardians. "Foeham- Foehammer to all s-strikes! W-we found i-it! N-need heavy su-support!"
"Strike Black to all Strikes. Move to assist Foehammer. Thunder White, move in and assist." The chatter became a comforting background noise as Reu pulled himself up and was forced to quickly sidestep another attack.
The Seer's were doing there best and one of them turned their focus upon him, weaving a dome of Empyrean energy into place. The dome did little good, but at least the humans were trying.
Finally getting in close enough to strike with his axe, Reu lamented his lack of a Wraithcannon. Then his arm was ripped off and he was forced to backpedal. Unfortunately, the monstrosity for all it's bulk and awful wadle, was fast enough to keep pressing him.
"Strike Red to Foehammer. We're in position and popping frags."
"Strike Blue to Foehammer. We're another minute out, hold on."
"Strike Black to Foehammer. We've connected with Thunder White. Five minutes out."
Five minutes was an eternity, but Reu understood what he had do. There was no helping it. Spinning around, he rushed in, managing to duck under another attack and hold the thing in position, even as the human's primitive, but effective, grenades dropped down around them both.
Every wall was covered in a screen and her desk had three Hololiths, all of which were connected to one big Cogitator. She had spreadsheets on fuel use, rations, shoelaces! Everything! It was going to kill her to keep it all up, worse… so many of the reports were on paper!
She had to do something about this! It was a drain on resources for one, it made her job harder for two! It all just…
Shambling out of her office, Ooyodo made her way over to the table with a recaff brewer set up upon it. There had to be a better way to handle this! No, she just needed to start delegating work. She needed to start handing out work. She had minions now after all…
Like all ships, the Vivian had a soul. The Ecclesiarchy would deny it, the rest of the Mechanicus would disregard it. But any ship more than a century old, and she had been around for millenia, had a weight of history that became a soul, a personality. Her's was serien wisdom. They would all be about their tasks and suddenly one of them would find something that was damaged, or a hole that was not bored properly, or any number of other defects. Always it would be as if someone was pointing them to it.
Her restoration was not the everyday repairs of a battle damaged ship, but the stripping to the bare bones, and then replacing the ones that were simply too stressed. Then came the laying of the internal components. The 'Storm' Drop Pod Launch Bays, so heavily integrated into her skeleton that they were part of it. Lost techniques shown and much learned. Barracks, Brig, Arboretum only missing the plants, the cargo holds, extended supply vaults. In doing this extra space was found because they did not need to include torpedo bays or storage, they did not need ship magazines for massive Macrobattery rounds. And all the little things that fit nicely into overhauled core components.
The only request that was, while done, found to be odd, was to see the entirety of the Vivian's hull painted Lapis with golden trim.
As for the prow, it was old, damaged beyond use, but whole enough to imply the figurehead. It took almost a month in itself to craft the new, reinforced prow, but the figurehead took the efforts of the Ark Mechanicus' best artisans to rebuild.
The lady upon the prow was regal, hair and dress flowing behind her and down to form the prow. She was forged from Adamantine, but wrapped in gold. The Lady of Blue would once more see the stars, and they would remember the lessons of old.
The Daemons to the front of the Light were being sorted out properly, that is to say with fire and gun. And they were finally able to start rotating squads off the fronts for a little downtime. Something the troops were needing.
Five Fekking months of war. It wasn't new, not really, but the battlefield was different, oh so different. Kind of like an urban war, but bloodier. He was down to just twenty five Troopers, six Medics, and somehow none of the Wyrdvanes had exploded.
Oh the Wyrdvane! Ever since they had been paired up with Reu, the creepy automata driven by a dead Elder, they had been pretty stable and even became a hit squad on par with those Eradicators the AdMech had brought. Actually, that might be something! If he could talk the Lord-Captain into giving them some training they might actually become useful for more than a roving murder band.
It was almost like being in the Guard again, only fewer troops, more shit, better tech, and no reinforcements. Same god damn shit though.
On the plus side, the Lord-Captain didn't look down on the dirt sloggers and even lent her considerable power and insights to the fighting. Warp, she was down here every moment of free time she got, and a few she didn't actually have.
At least he would have actual barracks and training areas once the Vivian was finished. It would make getting the inevitable recruits straightened out easier. As it was he was being forced to rely upon the tribals and Skitarii.
Looking around at his much newer and greener, if at least now seasoned, support staff, he added training non-combatants to be able to survive an assault to his to-do-list.
It's slow and ponderous, meant to teach us, the Aeldari, control and rigidity, or maybe to reinforce it. Taking that into account, I wondered how my teachers had failed so spectacularly with me? But it didn't matter, that was then, this was now.
Of course, this revelation led to more paperwork as I had to start building a curriculum from scratch! Work in lessons on Runes as Amelia had just started that and was showing great promise as far as stability and safety went. The part that would be hard was the need to find a human runic language that was both old enough to have a weight in the Warp and sturdy enough to hold up to the chaotic powers of said place. I mean, sure I could use Eldar Runes but I doubt it would go over well with… a lot of people.
To further complicate my work, Oak had taken to bugging me about Hexagrammic wards and symbology. After the seventh time I made a deal with him. He would supply me with an autoscribe, tome edition, and I would give him copies of the tomes covering the subjects.
The autoscribe as it turned out was just one of his minions, Lexmechanic Balis. The Tech-Priest was not pleased to know I wanted him to scribe out a number of tomes, but got to it with only grumbles.
So, with the Light of Terra being secured and the last of the Daemons getting put to the sword. I found myself in an odd situation, I had nothing pressing to do. Nowhere to go, nothing to kill, and… yeah, nothing to do. Well, besides paperwork, planning out lessons, and the all important task of working out how we were to get to Sol without fighting off assailants every step of the way.
The Light was, simply put, too big for the Webway. Well, in the Webway's prime, or along one of the few routes that could admit a Craftworld it would work. But here and now? I just don't know… and I wasn't keen on the idea of showing Imperials more Webway gates.
This only left heading through the Maw. Not a bad option really. It would give me the chance to pick up some Imperial Navy escorts, if I was lucky. But more importantly I needed to go by their to pick up the rest of House Tythus.
On the other hand, it would put me on the map. Every Rogue Trader and Pirate would know of me and more importantly of the Light. What happened from there was anyone's guess.
The ship deck was recessed into the floor, three steps down, with the command deck a raised platform a single step above the Flag Deck. This was not, however, set up in a circle. It was more of a rounded cone, the Ship deck being the smaller.
Everything had come out surprisingly well, even with some alterations. The walls were shaped into images of Imperial valor and so on, with hololiths worked into it. But honestly that was less than I had expected. There were no Grand Arches, and it was well lit. The whole of the ship was surprisingly well lit and even the lower decks were in good order.
The Librarium was devoid of Non-Xeno tomes, but had a fair amount of information, along with my own archives, in a digital format. The Lexmechanic Balis, now Head Librarian Balis, was in charge of sorting out the archives, and had a small army of Scribes at his disposal.
The Arboretum was barren for now, not even having the dirt to grow things in, just like my Agi-Ship, but that was temporary. Already Shepard and his remaining people were making themselves at home in the Barrac-
My musings were interrupted by the sound of my Navigator Kiki shouting, "Myra! Get back here!"
The patter of a child's feet had me turning to see a purple robes child running in my direction. The black eyes were odd, and the pressure of the Immaterium was evident from the third one, but I just smiled and crouched down in front of her.
She looked oddly terrified by me, but I just smiled and asked, "So, you're Myra? Ooyodo has told me a bit about you."
Wide eyed the little girl asked, "Really?"
"Yup." I replied, standing as Kiki hurried over. To the Navigators annoyance, Myra slipped in behind me, hiding. "So, what do you think of the Vivian? Pretty nice under the skirt, huh?"
With a sigh of resignation she looked around then replied. "Everything's so… new. It's kind of intimidating. But she sure can punch so… well, I don't know. I'll have to see how she handles."
Smiling, I waved her towards the hall she had just come out of, my other hand going behind Myra and guiding her to my side and along with me. "Then let me show you the Navigator's Sanctum."
"This room is for you to do what you wish with. It is heavily warded against Neverborn." Lord-Captain explained before walking over to a large tube thing. "This is the Plug, a kind of Sextant which you'll be using."
Looking at it, she could see that it… large wasn't a good enough word, massive tube described it better. A Sextant? Those were supposed to greatly increase the abilities of a Navigator… but?
As the tube spun open like a screw, Kiki blinked at the strange command throne like chair hanging at it's center. It was sloped back and had handholds, but what stood out was… well-
Frowning cutely, her little sister asked, "Why does it smell like cinnamon?"
"That's because," The Lord-Captain explained, "it gets filled with an oxygenated supernutrient soup that functions as life support."
"Um, so… I just get in and?" Kiki wondered.
"Right, well, first you'll want to either get naked, or one of the Tech-Priests has designed a 'Plugsuit' for you to wear. You can go in with other things on, but the Link Connection Liquid or LCL tends to ruin fabric and non-insulated electronics." Helpfully explained the Lord-Captain, then she went on to say, "Once inside and the Plug is sealed, it will fill with LCL.
Looking from the now open plug thing to the Lord-Captain, to the plug, Kiki was beginning to wonder if this was worth the gain? Her house had next to nothing, they had nothing when compared to the other Houses Navis. This would get them a ship, more it would get them fame for serving the first Xeno Rogue Trader… assuming everyone wasn't killed by the Inquisition.
With those thoughts in her head, Kiki almost missed the Lord-Captain say, "As for servants or assistants, I don't allow slavery. End of story. But for now you have a small cadre of Tech-Priests who will assist you and can teach anyone you wish to perform the tasks required."
Blinking at that, Kiki nodded. Servants would be cool and all, but Tech-Priests should be fine… right? Well, she'd see how it went at least and what she could work with. But aside from Ooyodo, the Lord-Captain here, and a number of her cadre most people freaked out about the third eye. Even Ooyodo flinched every now and again. It was amusing that the two Xeno and the undead Xeno cared least about it. But Tech-Priests wouldn't care… right?
Bidding them fairwill, the Lord-Captain started to walk away before stopping and saying, "Right, I need you to try out the system a bit, give me and the supporting Tech-Priests a report on it and any modifications you think will help. I've scheduled a short jump for the end of the week, to make sure there's nothing wrong with the Warp Drive or the Synchronization chamber."
Not a minute after she had left a group of Tech-Priests entered and headed over to her, the leader glancing at her, then at Myra and her exposed third eye. Kiki had been right about the Tech-Heads, they didn't react beyond minor curiosity. "Ah, Kiki Tythus, we meet at last. I am High Enginseer Blamer, and have been put in charge of the Synchronization Chamber-"
On a Cruiser! This in itself made it almost a mini-Craftworld! No, it was a mini-Craftworld! Not as elegant as- anyways, back to explaining.
The manor, compound, section… whatever, was capable of fitting 200 people in opulence, or twice that if they shared the large, for a warp ship, rooms. My personal room was so big I didn't know what to do with it! At the size of four normal rooms, I just boggled and grumbled! Then you take into account the many smaller common rooms and… yeah. I hadn't truly understood what Imperial ships were like!
The simple scale! Five Kilometers for a Cruiser? Eight kilometers being small for a Battleship? I honestly struggle, even now, to understand that scale.
But as I walked into the common room, I found Amelia sitting on one of my sofa's, I needed more now, and reading something on a Dataslate. Considering I gave her access to my unrestricted archives, because there are some tomes that need to be under lock and key, and other information I didn't want anyone getting at.
Smiling, I draped myself over her and whispered in her ear, "Whatcha readin'?"
She jolted in surprise, but with me holding her like this she couldn't really get away. "Ah, um… I was just reading about the- er, could you…"
Basking in the feeling of holding someone, if unfortunately not being held in return, for a moment longer, I sighed and stood up. "Well? What are you reading?"
"Um… Asuryata? It's… interesting if kind of silly." Amelia told me and, kind of silly?
"Kind of silly?" I asked, a little incredulous. I mean, I was there for one of the recitings done by the Bards of Twilight. It was impressive and a very good set of lessons.
Fidgeting, she replied, "Well, some of the decisions were kind of bad. I mean, they had better options but completely ignored them?"
They… had better options?
Mentally going over the epic poem that was Asuryata, the complete and expanded version she was reading, I frowned. Could she be right? No, she couldn't that would be- why had they done that! Or… but… you could have just- arg!
Amelia was right… that… huh, that was something of interest to me. I mean, this epic poem was core to many parts of my peoples lives. It was the basis from which we drew our strategies, but at least one of the major events could have been handled far better if only they had fortified the defensible position they had been in better than just slapping down a few turrets and trying to hold off the hordes. Earthworks! Learn to use them!
I frowned at this and grumbled, then sighed, then grumbled some more, then shrugged. "Well, I feel like my people decided to be full on idiots about this. 'Strike and move.' Except, they took it too far and forgot how to defend, great." Flopping over the back of the sofa, I wriggled around to right myself for a moment then grumbled again. "So, how have you been?"
"Um, good I guess?" She replied, watching me make a bit of a fool of myself, but fek it. This was comfortable and I hadn't been able to really spend time with my nominal apprentice in months. Months! Heh, that's like saying days!
Hmm? Why yes, I was being positively clingy by Eldar standards. But humans didn't live nearly as long. So, I figure it was fine, Sha'eil, I probably seemed distant.
With a sigh, I verbally prodded her again, "How are your studies? Make any progress with Wraithbone?"
Amelia eyed me for a long moment before with a sigh she asked, "Why are you suddenly so interested?"
Slumping, I let myself fall over to the far side of the sofa, and pouted. To be honest, her question kind of hurt, though, how much of that was crazy enhanced emotions and how much was… "Because you matter to me? Because I'm teaching you? Or trying to? It's… I know a few months is a long time to a human, but to my people it's… think of it as a handful of weeks at worst. It's hard to keep perspective, especially with everything going on." Biting my lip for a moment, I finished with, "I'm sorry."
Really though, I mean, I was, but I really should have realized this sooner. I was- adjusting to human thought patterns was just hard.
Grumbling something I couldn't make out, Amelia sighed and replied, "It's… kind of why I was reading this. I wanted to understand why you had just… abandoned me."
Abandoned her? No! I had just been… but a few months was still a good chunk of time for a human. So, how did I go about making it right?
Sitting up, I turned to her and smiled sadly, "I had just expected you to come to me if you needed, or even just wanted, something. It's… how I was taught."
Amelia drew in a breath to say something, but Arashi suddenly made her presence behind the sofa known. "Hey! Finally resolving that little lover's quarrel? Good for you Amelia! I still say you should have just crawled into bed with her! It would have been more fun!"
I… what? No, Arashi, Drukhari… no, yeah. What the fek?
Turning to face the Drukhari grinnin- leering at me, "Hey boss! So, um… I think I'm becoming a psyker?"
And there went my train of thought.
Giving her a flat look, I sighed and poked her soul. This had better not be some attempt at- Wait… that… huh, so it worked? The Drukhari's atrophied Psychic abilities could be un-atrophied! Or was it only because of how young she was? Or was it the effect of the Bane Sword? Still, this was kind of a big deal. "How fascinating. I wonder if it's the fact you now have a Waystone protecting your soul, or the Bane Sword?"
"Oh, Mayhem? Well, I'm not giving it up if it is! It's best sword!" Arashi cheered.
Eyeing her for a moment, I sighed. Mayhem… why was I even surprised? "Don't make me regret this. Amelia, I'm going to leave training Arashi here in control and defenses to you. It should teach you a thing or two."
Amelia eyed me skeptically, but sighed and nodded. "I guess I can try."
From there, I was finally able to find out how she was doing. She was able to produce 'Wraithbone' the core material. From there I would need to be a little more hands on in teaching her how to make the different types, how to generate them together and mold them, and finally, how to make the various Psy-reactive materials that would be needed for any Wraithbone construct more advanced than a do- than a table.
As for Biomancy, she was making a fair amount of progress, but was avoiding practicing with anything more advanced than plants for the time being. The fact we didn't have any plants kind of made the distinction a moot point though.
As for others, Reu was… Reu, but was interested in the experiment I wanted to try that should give him better autonomy. Oak had set up in the Laboratorium and was… working on something. Shepard had put in a formal request to speak with me, something that was coming up, Tobius also wanted to talk with me, and lets not forget Sister Valera. The last one concerned me a little considering she was wrapped up in something or other that dealt with the Imperial Faith. Oh, and lets not forget my other duties, such as meeting the various Captains of my new shiny ships, the Gypsy Song being the only one I was keeping to a skeleton crew of Tech-Priests bolstered by servitors.
The Light of Terra was coming along, but the simple amount of labor needed to even temporarily shore up her hull, replace the Gellar Field, and Warp Drive… it was needlessly complicated actually. I mean, sure, it needed to be done, but did you have to hold a day long sermon before removing the old ones? Before bolting in a screw? Three years stuck here? No, I would be leaving most of my fleet here to work salvage or what have you, because the Mechanicus now had this place pretty heavily locked down.
I would be taking the Vivian, of course, DesRon Annwn, and the Rod of Flowers. A week after I'm underway, the Malta would be done with its refit and join the Glorious Rags in melting down scrap metal from the field. Not lucrative, but there was just so much and I wasn't comfortable with having them go find an asteroid field somewhere just yet. Similar was planned for the Little Rascal, my Fuel Tanker, not 'cost efficient', but it was also not cost ineffective.
Despite what you may think, I did not find hordes of Archeotech. I mean, I found the life sustainers used in the Vivian, well one of my salvage crews did, but not much more. No, the Lost Ground was however, rife with high quality components. It showed in all my ships, and even the components I had in my holds.
Like the one that had spontaneously caught fire. He didn't like to think about that one.
On the other hand, his work on adaptive ward circuits was going far better! Already he had a filter for the Oracle that highlighted anything within five degrees of similarity to any 'Ruinous' symbol, and a program that showed alternate circuit layouts incorporating as many wards as possible without negating functionality.
He had already utilized it to build new circuits for his Half Cog Power axe, and Pipe wrench! Because multi purpose tools were best tools. Interestingly though, it had cleaned up the flicker that he had previously been unable to remove. His next project was making a Hotshot Lasgun like this! Maybe have the lenses built to have a ward hidden in the beam? Would it work! Oh if it did, how glorious it would be!
Of course, should that succeed, then he would move on to rebuilding all his Augmetics and Bionics with all the lessons learned! Something he needed to do anyways! What with the wealth of STC Augmetics and Bionics schema Lady Fairdwin had! An archive he had free reign of!
Letting out a sigh of frustration, Oak looked over at the other project he had been tinkering with. This one given to him by the Lady herself.
Bolters by tradition are at the pinnacle of weaponry, there are better, but the Bolter is simple, reliable, and well known. What the Lady had proposed was… fascinating!
First was the use of a type of psy-diamond for the tip, something she had donated a meter cubed of! Then there was the designs for a small plasma charge to replace the standard one. It was solid state, and generated an explosion on an order of magnitude greater than a Mechanicus made explosive of similar size!
Each round was the 'size of your thumb', or a .450 straight jacket armor piercing gyroscopic mass reactive round, if you wanted proper terms. Well, that was the hope, but he had been pretty distracted by his own projects. Still, if the new bolter round worked it would mean more rounds per magazine and there wouldn't even be a drop of in destructive power! Well, not an appreciable drop. He would, of course, have to see about making some without the psy-Diamond tip, for viability tests.
On the other hand, it would mean all bolters and ammunition manufacturers would need to be adjusted… across the Imperium. But that was absolutely worth it!
Then you had the ideas for other types of Bolter! That was where it got fascinating. A light carbine, a heavy pistol, even a complete rebuild of the base version into a proper rifle! With a stock! There were even notes asking for viability tests on putting gravitic accelerators along the barrel! Micro Nova-Cannons? Probably not, but maybe that Predator Tank…
This was the life! Oak thought with a sigh. Finally being able to do research! To advance instead of simply holding onto that which was slowly slipping away.
He had been labeled a Xenorite? Well, they weren't wrong, he looked to Xenotech. What could they take as their own? What could they learn from it? What could they rediscover from it!
Technology was the 'Wonder and Knowledge of the Omnissiah'. But it would be a poor Omnissiah who did not teach everyone equally. Was humanity favored? Perhaps; the Emperor had walked among them, supposedly he had repaired machines with but a touch. Or… maybe the stories whispered in the darkest corners of the Datanets were true?
Maybe there was some ancient god sleeping under mars? Pff! If that was true, it was a Xeno! But that would be ridiculous, just complete madness.
Snickering in amusement Oak went back to his work. After all, the Lady Fairdwin had left him one other project. A blade made of plasma? Or perhaps a laser? Well, it was an interesting idea, and the notes had some fascinating thoughts and possibilities!
A/N 2: I need someone who's good at writing space battles to take a look at the one I have and help me expand it and/or make it better. PM me, yeah?
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Reu had been dubious at first, the Cresistauead Seer council had seemed barely stable, and in truth they had been. But once he had been accepted into their community, their shared mental space. He had been a stabilizing influence on their frayed minds.Now they were answer to the callsign Foehammer, the Cresistauead… the humans painting their armor Slate and Sage to match his body.
Sweeping the last hold, Reu gave a mental frown. He could feel the taint of the Ruinous here. The Seers didn't seem to notice, and the squads of human guardians certainly didn't, all but blind without the gift of sight… without Psychic powers. All but blind, but not toothless.
"Reu to all Strikes. There is something present." After rumbling that out over their primitive Vox systems, he proceeded to head for the threat.
Fingering his axe, Reu turned the corner around a stack of crates, and immediately lunged into an attack.
The thing was massive, easily bigger than a Wraithknight. A being of pale white flesh and far too much fat. It, she, looked as if she could barely wadle. But as it hit Reu, it proved lie to that, as it seemed to be imbued with some form of unnatural strength and agility.
The Seers saw him get sent flying and didn't quite start gibbering in terror, but it was a near thing. They all lashed out with a variety of attacks, and one of them proved to have the presence of mind to warn the guardians. "Foeham- Foehammer to all s-strikes! W-we found i-it! N-need heavy su-support!"
"Strike Black to all Strikes. Move to assist Foehammer. Thunder White, move in and assist." The chatter became a comforting background noise as Reu pulled himself up and was forced to quickly sidestep another attack.
The Seer's were doing there best and one of them turned their focus upon him, weaving a dome of Empyrean energy into place. The dome did little good, but at least the humans were trying.
Finally getting in close enough to strike with his axe, Reu lamented his lack of a Wraithcannon. Then his arm was ripped off and he was forced to backpedal. Unfortunately, the monstrosity for all it's bulk and awful wadle, was fast enough to keep pressing him.
"Strike Red to Foehammer. We're in position and popping frags."
"Strike Blue to Foehammer. We're another minute out, hold on."
"Strike Black to Foehammer. We've connected with Thunder White. Five minutes out."
Five minutes was an eternity, but Reu understood what he had do. There was no helping it. Spinning around, he rushed in, managing to duck under another attack and hold the thing in position, even as the human's primitive, but effective, grenades dropped down around them both.
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Ooyodo groaned as she picked up her empty cup of Recaff. This was horrible! She wasn't even halfway done! Worse, she was out of recaff!Every wall was covered in a screen and her desk had three Hololiths, all of which were connected to one big Cogitator. She had spreadsheets on fuel use, rations, shoelaces! Everything! It was going to kill her to keep it all up, worse… so many of the reports were on paper!
She had to do something about this! It was a drain on resources for one, it made her job harder for two! It all just…
Shambling out of her office, Ooyodo made her way over to the table with a recaff brewer set up upon it. There had to be a better way to handle this! No, she just needed to start delegating work. She needed to start handing out work. She had minions now after all…
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They were the work crews of Shipyard 22B, and they toiled. It was not cruel, or brutal, but the retrofit of a Cruiser was always a toil, but a toil of love. The Tech-Priests sang binary hymes as they worked, the menials sweated, but everyone felt the weight of the task.Like all ships, the Vivian had a soul. The Ecclesiarchy would deny it, the rest of the Mechanicus would disregard it. But any ship more than a century old, and she had been around for millenia, had a weight of history that became a soul, a personality. Her's was serien wisdom. They would all be about their tasks and suddenly one of them would find something that was damaged, or a hole that was not bored properly, or any number of other defects. Always it would be as if someone was pointing them to it.
Her restoration was not the everyday repairs of a battle damaged ship, but the stripping to the bare bones, and then replacing the ones that were simply too stressed. Then came the laying of the internal components. The 'Storm' Drop Pod Launch Bays, so heavily integrated into her skeleton that they were part of it. Lost techniques shown and much learned. Barracks, Brig, Arboretum only missing the plants, the cargo holds, extended supply vaults. In doing this extra space was found because they did not need to include torpedo bays or storage, they did not need ship magazines for massive Macrobattery rounds. And all the little things that fit nicely into overhauled core components.
The only request that was, while done, found to be odd, was to see the entirety of the Vivian's hull painted Lapis with golden trim.
As for the prow, it was old, damaged beyond use, but whole enough to imply the figurehead. It took almost a month in itself to craft the new, reinforced prow, but the figurehead took the efforts of the Ark Mechanicus' best artisans to rebuild.
The lady upon the prow was regal, hair and dress flowing behind her and down to form the prow. She was forged from Adamantine, but wrapped in gold. The Lady of Blue would once more see the stars, and they would remember the lessons of old.
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Shepard looked upon the maps, the data feeds, and… all was good. The deep holds were clear and even now being catalogued. The Priests of the Mechanicus and of the Imperial Creed were going over everything, removing taint and sanctifying as they went.The Daemons to the front of the Light were being sorted out properly, that is to say with fire and gun. And they were finally able to start rotating squads off the fronts for a little downtime. Something the troops were needing.
Five Fekking months of war. It wasn't new, not really, but the battlefield was different, oh so different. Kind of like an urban war, but bloodier. He was down to just twenty five Troopers, six Medics, and somehow none of the Wyrdvanes had exploded.
Oh the Wyrdvane! Ever since they had been paired up with Reu, the creepy automata driven by a dead Elder, they had been pretty stable and even became a hit squad on par with those Eradicators the AdMech had brought. Actually, that might be something! If he could talk the Lord-Captain into giving them some training they might actually become useful for more than a roving murder band.
It was almost like being in the Guard again, only fewer troops, more shit, better tech, and no reinforcements. Same god damn shit though.
On the plus side, the Lord-Captain didn't look down on the dirt sloggers and even lent her considerable power and insights to the fighting. Warp, she was down here every moment of free time she got, and a few she didn't actually have.
At least he would have actual barracks and training areas once the Vivian was finished. It would make getting the inevitable recruits straightened out easier. As it was he was being forced to rely upon the tribals and Skitarii.
Looking around at his much newer and greener, if at least now seasoned, support staff, he added training non-combatants to be able to survive an assault to his to-do-list.
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After the last of the Daemons and their followers died, things slowly fell into a routine. I would have this or that to handle, Ooyodo would be buried in a pile of paperwork, and Amelia would show her slow but steady progress with Wraithbone. But I was starting to come to the realization that the way Bonesinging is taught on the Craftworlds isn't, in fact, the best way to teach it.It's slow and ponderous, meant to teach us, the Aeldari, control and rigidity, or maybe to reinforce it. Taking that into account, I wondered how my teachers had failed so spectacularly with me? But it didn't matter, that was then, this was now.
Of course, this revelation led to more paperwork as I had to start building a curriculum from scratch! Work in lessons on Runes as Amelia had just started that and was showing great promise as far as stability and safety went. The part that would be hard was the need to find a human runic language that was both old enough to have a weight in the Warp and sturdy enough to hold up to the chaotic powers of said place. I mean, sure I could use Eldar Runes but I doubt it would go over well with… a lot of people.
To further complicate my work, Oak had taken to bugging me about Hexagrammic wards and symbology. After the seventh time I made a deal with him. He would supply me with an autoscribe, tome edition, and I would give him copies of the tomes covering the subjects.
The autoscribe as it turned out was just one of his minions, Lexmechanic Balis. The Tech-Priest was not pleased to know I wanted him to scribe out a number of tomes, but got to it with only grumbles.
So, with the Light of Terra being secured and the last of the Daemons getting put to the sword. I found myself in an odd situation, I had nothing pressing to do. Nowhere to go, nothing to kill, and… yeah, nothing to do. Well, besides paperwork, planning out lessons, and the all important task of working out how we were to get to Sol without fighting off assailants every step of the way.
The Light was, simply put, too big for the Webway. Well, in the Webway's prime, or along one of the few routes that could admit a Craftworld it would work. But here and now? I just don't know… and I wasn't keen on the idea of showing Imperials more Webway gates.
This only left heading through the Maw. Not a bad option really. It would give me the chance to pick up some Imperial Navy escorts, if I was lucky. But more importantly I needed to go by their to pick up the rest of House Tythus.
On the other hand, it would put me on the map. Every Rogue Trader and Pirate would know of me and more importantly of the Light. What happened from there was anyone's guess.
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Standing on the Vivians bridge, I looked around the command deck. The bridge was set up into the Ship Deck, in the front of the bridge. The Flag Deck taking up the back half of the bridge with Haloliths and everything a Flag officer would need to run a fleet, in or out of combat. Finally there was the Command Deck, which was smaller but in between the other two decks, with the command throne upon it.The ship deck was recessed into the floor, three steps down, with the command deck a raised platform a single step above the Flag Deck. This was not, however, set up in a circle. It was more of a rounded cone, the Ship deck being the smaller.
Everything had come out surprisingly well, even with some alterations. The walls were shaped into images of Imperial valor and so on, with hololiths worked into it. But honestly that was less than I had expected. There were no Grand Arches, and it was well lit. The whole of the ship was surprisingly well lit and even the lower decks were in good order.
The Librarium was devoid of Non-Xeno tomes, but had a fair amount of information, along with my own archives, in a digital format. The Lexmechanic Balis, now Head Librarian Balis, was in charge of sorting out the archives, and had a small army of Scribes at his disposal.
The Arboretum was barren for now, not even having the dirt to grow things in, just like my Agi-Ship, but that was temporary. Already Shepard and his remaining people were making themselves at home in the Barrac-
My musings were interrupted by the sound of my Navigator Kiki shouting, "Myra! Get back here!"
The patter of a child's feet had me turning to see a purple robes child running in my direction. The black eyes were odd, and the pressure of the Immaterium was evident from the third one, but I just smiled and crouched down in front of her.
She looked oddly terrified by me, but I just smiled and asked, "So, you're Myra? Ooyodo has told me a bit about you."
Wide eyed the little girl asked, "Really?"
"Yup." I replied, standing as Kiki hurried over. To the Navigators annoyance, Myra slipped in behind me, hiding. "So, what do you think of the Vivian? Pretty nice under the skirt, huh?"
With a sigh of resignation she looked around then replied. "Everything's so… new. It's kind of intimidating. But she sure can punch so… well, I don't know. I'll have to see how she handles."
Smiling, I waved her towards the hall she had just come out of, my other hand going behind Myra and guiding her to my side and along with me. "Then let me show you the Navigator's Sanctum."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Sanctum… wasn't like any she had ever seen. It resembled the few she had seen, but only in the same way a begger resembles the rich. Electrum bands were inlaid into the walls, shaping into odd patterns and the symbols. But, what truly stood out was the large angled tube thing against one of the walls."This room is for you to do what you wish with. It is heavily warded against Neverborn." Lord-Captain explained before walking over to a large tube thing. "This is the Plug, a kind of Sextant which you'll be using."
Looking at it, she could see that it… large wasn't a good enough word, massive tube described it better. A Sextant? Those were supposed to greatly increase the abilities of a Navigator… but?
As the tube spun open like a screw, Kiki blinked at the strange command throne like chair hanging at it's center. It was sloped back and had handholds, but what stood out was… well-
Frowning cutely, her little sister asked, "Why does it smell like cinnamon?"
"That's because," The Lord-Captain explained, "it gets filled with an oxygenated supernutrient soup that functions as life support."
"Um, so… I just get in and?" Kiki wondered.
"Right, well, first you'll want to either get naked, or one of the Tech-Priests has designed a 'Plugsuit' for you to wear. You can go in with other things on, but the Link Connection Liquid or LCL tends to ruin fabric and non-insulated electronics." Helpfully explained the Lord-Captain, then she went on to say, "Once inside and the Plug is sealed, it will fill with LCL.
Looking from the now open plug thing to the Lord-Captain, to the plug, Kiki was beginning to wonder if this was worth the gain? Her house had next to nothing, they had nothing when compared to the other Houses Navis. This would get them a ship, more it would get them fame for serving the first Xeno Rogue Trader… assuming everyone wasn't killed by the Inquisition.
With those thoughts in her head, Kiki almost missed the Lord-Captain say, "As for servants or assistants, I don't allow slavery. End of story. But for now you have a small cadre of Tech-Priests who will assist you and can teach anyone you wish to perform the tasks required."
Blinking at that, Kiki nodded. Servants would be cool and all, but Tech-Priests should be fine… right? Well, she'd see how it went at least and what she could work with. But aside from Ooyodo, the Lord-Captain here, and a number of her cadre most people freaked out about the third eye. Even Ooyodo flinched every now and again. It was amusing that the two Xeno and the undead Xeno cared least about it. But Tech-Priests wouldn't care… right?
Bidding them fairwill, the Lord-Captain started to walk away before stopping and saying, "Right, I need you to try out the system a bit, give me and the supporting Tech-Priests a report on it and any modifications you think will help. I've scheduled a short jump for the end of the week, to make sure there's nothing wrong with the Warp Drive or the Synchronization chamber."
Not a minute after she had left a group of Tech-Priests entered and headed over to her, the leader glancing at her, then at Myra and her exposed third eye. Kiki had been right about the Tech-Heads, they didn't react beyond minor curiosity. "Ah, Kiki Tythus, we meet at last. I am High Enginseer Blamer, and have been put in charge of the Synchronization Chamber-"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Walking into my new… uh, suite? No, it was more of a small manner. It had a short entry hall with a small storage vault on one side and servant quarters to the other. The entry hall itself led into a massive common room with a large armored glass window. It was actually kind of impressive. No, it would be, once the Arboretum was filled with plants and such… it was massive with a small forest planned, game animals included, and a second area that would be hydroponics. I mean, it was just crazy, a half acre of forest and a chamber half that for hydroponics?On a Cruiser! This in itself made it almost a mini-Craftworld! No, it was a mini-Craftworld! Not as elegant as- anyways, back to explaining.
The manor, compound, section… whatever, was capable of fitting 200 people in opulence, or twice that if they shared the large, for a warp ship, rooms. My personal room was so big I didn't know what to do with it! At the size of four normal rooms, I just boggled and grumbled! Then you take into account the many smaller common rooms and… yeah. I hadn't truly understood what Imperial ships were like!
The simple scale! Five Kilometers for a Cruiser? Eight kilometers being small for a Battleship? I honestly struggle, even now, to understand that scale.
But as I walked into the common room, I found Amelia sitting on one of my sofa's, I needed more now, and reading something on a Dataslate. Considering I gave her access to my unrestricted archives, because there are some tomes that need to be under lock and key, and other information I didn't want anyone getting at.
Smiling, I draped myself over her and whispered in her ear, "Whatcha readin'?"
She jolted in surprise, but with me holding her like this she couldn't really get away. "Ah, um… I was just reading about the- er, could you…"
Basking in the feeling of holding someone, if unfortunately not being held in return, for a moment longer, I sighed and stood up. "Well? What are you reading?"
"Um… Asuryata? It's… interesting if kind of silly." Amelia told me and, kind of silly?
"Kind of silly?" I asked, a little incredulous. I mean, I was there for one of the recitings done by the Bards of Twilight. It was impressive and a very good set of lessons.
Fidgeting, she replied, "Well, some of the decisions were kind of bad. I mean, they had better options but completely ignored them?"
They… had better options?
Mentally going over the epic poem that was Asuryata, the complete and expanded version she was reading, I frowned. Could she be right? No, she couldn't that would be- why had they done that! Or… but… you could have just- arg!
Amelia was right… that… huh, that was something of interest to me. I mean, this epic poem was core to many parts of my peoples lives. It was the basis from which we drew our strategies, but at least one of the major events could have been handled far better if only they had fortified the defensible position they had been in better than just slapping down a few turrets and trying to hold off the hordes. Earthworks! Learn to use them!
I frowned at this and grumbled, then sighed, then grumbled some more, then shrugged. "Well, I feel like my people decided to be full on idiots about this. 'Strike and move.' Except, they took it too far and forgot how to defend, great." Flopping over the back of the sofa, I wriggled around to right myself for a moment then grumbled again. "So, how have you been?"
"Um, good I guess?" She replied, watching me make a bit of a fool of myself, but fek it. This was comfortable and I hadn't been able to really spend time with my nominal apprentice in months. Months! Heh, that's like saying days!
Hmm? Why yes, I was being positively clingy by Eldar standards. But humans didn't live nearly as long. So, I figure it was fine, Sha'eil, I probably seemed distant.
With a sigh, I verbally prodded her again, "How are your studies? Make any progress with Wraithbone?"
Amelia eyed me for a long moment before with a sigh she asked, "Why are you suddenly so interested?"
Slumping, I let myself fall over to the far side of the sofa, and pouted. To be honest, her question kind of hurt, though, how much of that was crazy enhanced emotions and how much was… "Because you matter to me? Because I'm teaching you? Or trying to? It's… I know a few months is a long time to a human, but to my people it's… think of it as a handful of weeks at worst. It's hard to keep perspective, especially with everything going on." Biting my lip for a moment, I finished with, "I'm sorry."
Really though, I mean, I was, but I really should have realized this sooner. I was- adjusting to human thought patterns was just hard.
Grumbling something I couldn't make out, Amelia sighed and replied, "It's… kind of why I was reading this. I wanted to understand why you had just… abandoned me."
Abandoned her? No! I had just been… but a few months was still a good chunk of time for a human. So, how did I go about making it right?
Sitting up, I turned to her and smiled sadly, "I had just expected you to come to me if you needed, or even just wanted, something. It's… how I was taught."
Amelia drew in a breath to say something, but Arashi suddenly made her presence behind the sofa known. "Hey! Finally resolving that little lover's quarrel? Good for you Amelia! I still say you should have just crawled into bed with her! It would have been more fun!"
I… what? No, Arashi, Drukhari… no, yeah. What the fek?
Turning to face the Drukhari grinnin- leering at me, "Hey boss! So, um… I think I'm becoming a psyker?"
And there went my train of thought.
Giving her a flat look, I sighed and poked her soul. This had better not be some attempt at- Wait… that… huh, so it worked? The Drukhari's atrophied Psychic abilities could be un-atrophied! Or was it only because of how young she was? Or was it the effect of the Bane Sword? Still, this was kind of a big deal. "How fascinating. I wonder if it's the fact you now have a Waystone protecting your soul, or the Bane Sword?"
"Oh, Mayhem? Well, I'm not giving it up if it is! It's best sword!" Arashi cheered.
Eyeing her for a moment, I sighed. Mayhem… why was I even surprised? "Don't make me regret this. Amelia, I'm going to leave training Arashi here in control and defenses to you. It should teach you a thing or two."
Amelia eyed me skeptically, but sighed and nodded. "I guess I can try."
From there, I was finally able to find out how she was doing. She was able to produce 'Wraithbone' the core material. From there I would need to be a little more hands on in teaching her how to make the different types, how to generate them together and mold them, and finally, how to make the various Psy-reactive materials that would be needed for any Wraithbone construct more advanced than a do- than a table.
As for Biomancy, she was making a fair amount of progress, but was avoiding practicing with anything more advanced than plants for the time being. The fact we didn't have any plants kind of made the distinction a moot point though.
As for others, Reu was… Reu, but was interested in the experiment I wanted to try that should give him better autonomy. Oak had set up in the Laboratorium and was… working on something. Shepard had put in a formal request to speak with me, something that was coming up, Tobius also wanted to talk with me, and lets not forget Sister Valera. The last one concerned me a little considering she was wrapped up in something or other that dealt with the Imperial Faith. Oh, and lets not forget my other duties, such as meeting the various Captains of my new shiny ships, the Gypsy Song being the only one I was keeping to a skeleton crew of Tech-Priests bolstered by servitors.
The Light of Terra was coming along, but the simple amount of labor needed to even temporarily shore up her hull, replace the Gellar Field, and Warp Drive… it was needlessly complicated actually. I mean, sure, it needed to be done, but did you have to hold a day long sermon before removing the old ones? Before bolting in a screw? Three years stuck here? No, I would be leaving most of my fleet here to work salvage or what have you, because the Mechanicus now had this place pretty heavily locked down.
I would be taking the Vivian, of course, DesRon Annwn, and the Rod of Flowers. A week after I'm underway, the Malta would be done with its refit and join the Glorious Rags in melting down scrap metal from the field. Not lucrative, but there was just so much and I wasn't comfortable with having them go find an asteroid field somewhere just yet. Similar was planned for the Little Rascal, my Fuel Tanker, not 'cost efficient', but it was also not cost ineffective.
Despite what you may think, I did not find hordes of Archeotech. I mean, I found the life sustainers used in the Vivian, well one of my salvage crews did, but not much more. No, the Lost Ground was however, rife with high quality components. It showed in all my ships, and even the components I had in my holds.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Humming to himself, Oak set the isolated Cogitator to compiling the new core Lexicanum. If all went well, the custom built language of Hexagrammic Ward sigils would prove not… immediately fatal to the Cogitator or its Machine Spirit.Like the one that had spontaneously caught fire. He didn't like to think about that one.
On the other hand, his work on adaptive ward circuits was going far better! Already he had a filter for the Oracle that highlighted anything within five degrees of similarity to any 'Ruinous' symbol, and a program that showed alternate circuit layouts incorporating as many wards as possible without negating functionality.
He had already utilized it to build new circuits for his Half Cog Power axe, and Pipe wrench! Because multi purpose tools were best tools. Interestingly though, it had cleaned up the flicker that he had previously been unable to remove. His next project was making a Hotshot Lasgun like this! Maybe have the lenses built to have a ward hidden in the beam? Would it work! Oh if it did, how glorious it would be!
Of course, should that succeed, then he would move on to rebuilding all his Augmetics and Bionics with all the lessons learned! Something he needed to do anyways! What with the wealth of STC Augmetics and Bionics schema Lady Fairdwin had! An archive he had free reign of!
Letting out a sigh of frustration, Oak looked over at the other project he had been tinkering with. This one given to him by the Lady herself.
Bolters by tradition are at the pinnacle of weaponry, there are better, but the Bolter is simple, reliable, and well known. What the Lady had proposed was… fascinating!
First was the use of a type of psy-diamond for the tip, something she had donated a meter cubed of! Then there was the designs for a small plasma charge to replace the standard one. It was solid state, and generated an explosion on an order of magnitude greater than a Mechanicus made explosive of similar size!
Each round was the 'size of your thumb', or a .450 straight jacket armor piercing gyroscopic mass reactive round, if you wanted proper terms. Well, that was the hope, but he had been pretty distracted by his own projects. Still, if the new bolter round worked it would mean more rounds per magazine and there wouldn't even be a drop of in destructive power! Well, not an appreciable drop. He would, of course, have to see about making some without the psy-Diamond tip, for viability tests.
On the other hand, it would mean all bolters and ammunition manufacturers would need to be adjusted… across the Imperium. But that was absolutely worth it!
Then you had the ideas for other types of Bolter! That was where it got fascinating. A light carbine, a heavy pistol, even a complete rebuild of the base version into a proper rifle! With a stock! There were even notes asking for viability tests on putting gravitic accelerators along the barrel! Micro Nova-Cannons? Probably not, but maybe that Predator Tank…
This was the life! Oak thought with a sigh. Finally being able to do research! To advance instead of simply holding onto that which was slowly slipping away.
He had been labeled a Xenorite? Well, they weren't wrong, he looked to Xenotech. What could they take as their own? What could they learn from it? What could they rediscover from it!
Technology was the 'Wonder and Knowledge of the Omnissiah'. But it would be a poor Omnissiah who did not teach everyone equally. Was humanity favored? Perhaps; the Emperor had walked among them, supposedly he had repaired machines with but a touch. Or… maybe the stories whispered in the darkest corners of the Datanets were true?
Maybe there was some ancient god sleeping under mars? Pff! If that was true, it was a Xeno! But that would be ridiculous, just complete madness.
Snickering in amusement Oak went back to his work. After all, the Lady Fairdwin had left him one other project. A blade made of plasma? Or perhaps a laser? Well, it was an interesting idea, and the notes had some fascinating thoughts and possibilities!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N 3: I'm going to wait a chap or two before just putting up all the ships on the Char page.
- Location
- East of Sun, West of Moon
I'd edit the part about "upgraded" bolt shells if I were you; the Imperium does have a whole assortment of enhanced bolt shells, the trouble is logistics.
A cubic meter of psy-diamond? Great, assuming you only need one cubic centimeter per bolt, you get all of a million rounds out of that. Now, to find the Magos-Artisans who can actually work with psy-diamond, and have the humility to spend a couple of months doing nothing but crafting bolt shells, and then off in a crate with a thousand rounds to each Chapter which is almost enough to last a single squad a whole battle!
Plasma bolts? Sure, now hand over the STC - what do you mean you don't have an STC? Great, no STC, no mass production. Start looking for more bored Magi to entice into spending their time doing tedious production more suited for Artisan-Adepts than fully ordained members of the Martian Priesthood, except that no mere adepts can be trusted with the secrets of such precise and arcane technology...
Sorry, it's just, the Imperium has plenty of awesome tech, the reason they don't look like T'au turned up to eleven is because logistics and secrecy. They can't mass produce anything without the applicable STC, and their compulsive obsession with secrecy - the legacy of betrayal after disaster after betrayal - is arguably the greatest threat to the Imperium's continued survival out of all the threats in the galaxy.
A cubic meter of psy-diamond? Great, assuming you only need one cubic centimeter per bolt, you get all of a million rounds out of that. Now, to find the Magos-Artisans who can actually work with psy-diamond, and have the humility to spend a couple of months doing nothing but crafting bolt shells, and then off in a crate with a thousand rounds to each Chapter which is almost enough to last a single squad a whole battle!
Plasma bolts? Sure, now hand over the STC - what do you mean you don't have an STC? Great, no STC, no mass production. Start looking for more bored Magi to entice into spending their time doing tedious production more suited for Artisan-Adepts than fully ordained members of the Martian Priesthood, except that no mere adepts can be trusted with the secrets of such precise and arcane technology...
Sorry, it's just, the Imperium has plenty of awesome tech, the reason they don't look like T'au turned up to eleven is because logistics and secrecy. They can't mass produce anything without the applicable STC, and their compulsive obsession with secrecy - the legacy of betrayal after disaster after betrayal - is arguably the greatest threat to the Imperium's continued survival out of all the threats in the galaxy.
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
I actually did check that page before working on it. The biggest difference is the caliber.
The cube is for testing purposes, not production, and as Oak pointed out, could/would be replaced in the greater Imperium with standard AP rods/caps.
- Location
- East of Sun, West of Moon
Bit of reading comprehension fail on my part, but I'm doubtful as to the change in calibre being worth the effort of retooling a galaxy-wide logistics network that is already stretched to the breaking point when it's working at all.
I'm probably just being petty, though; I can get kind of detail obsessed and generally pessimistically nay-saying just for the heck of it.
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
Fair, but it's also Oak being optimistic. So, you aren't wrong, but Tech-Priest. So you know.
Chap 12
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
Checking her Dataslate again, Valera frowned before sighing and walking through the open blast door that seperated the Lord-Captain's Qua- Demesne. It couldn't be called a suite, and it most assuredly was too large to be Quarters. She would call it a Manor, except it really was part of a ship. It was literally just a fortified section of ship given over to the Lord Captain to live in, to have a family in, to share with her retinue, whatever. But this was done with all the quarters to a lesser degree, so the only real difference for her was that there was only one way in and out.
The odd thing was that by all accounts, she had only moved a few people into it. Ooyodo, the 'Chief Logistics Officer', Arashi, the Wych, Amelia, her Acolyte, the maybe-undead thing Reu, and the Navigator and her sister. This plus the very few servants she had here made the whole place rather empty. On the other hand, it suited the Lord-Captain's… style of semi-formal meetings well.
As she passed through the Entry Hall and into the main Common Room, Valera blinked at what she saw. The Lord-Captain was laying out the room? With holo-picts? There were hubs around the room, each corner and the center, but also near the great windows overlooking the Arboretum as well as many other places. There were also bookshelves and plants in many places, the latter more than the former.
Looking over from where she was sizing up a planter, the Lord-Captain gave her a smile and spoke, "Ah, don't mind me, I'm trying to plan out how to decorate the common room. So, what did you want to talk about?"
Pursing her lips for a moment, the Sister Valera took in a deep breath before slowly letting it out through her nose. Then she spoke. "A few things. The first and foremost is to request permission to petition for the Essilarchy for a Commandery… um, that's about two companies of Adeptus Sororitas to aid me in my duties."
The Lord-Captain frowned off into the distance at that, seeming to weigh the future before nodding. "I can agree to that, under the condition that you wait until the Light of Terra has been delivered, and I have… let's say dealt with the High Lords of Terra. I highly doubt anything good would come of doing it sooner. Though it is also unlikely to happen afterwards either. But… do you distrust your own priests so much? I have been hearing that you've executed a few of them?"
Suppressing a frown, for all the good it did with the Eldar apparently, Valera replied, "I am… unsure. I once held the Imperial Creed sacrosanct, an unassailable truth. But now that I look at it with clear eyes, putting aside my fervor and zeal… I see so much that is contradictory or simply meant to line the pockets of the greedy and corrupt. As for executions, I will not abide those who would use faith in the Emperor to line their own pockets."
Nodding agreeably, the Lord-Captain frowned for a moment before letting out an amused snort, but didn't comment on whatever she found funny.
After a few moments of almost awkward silence, Valera continued. "Then, may I begin to recruit from among the crews?"
The Lord-Captain seemed to ponder the request for a moment before shrugging. "Maybe. But I want a simple question answered. Why did you request to be assigned to me?"
Valera was surprised, she had been expecting this, but when she was first assigned, not now, still… "While working for Devrim I was exposed to many things. I have worked with Xeno before. And if I hadn't you may have- You most certainly would have gotten some rabid Missionary determined to see you dead."
With a smirk, the Lord-Captain nodded. "That's what I had expected. You have my permission."
With an internal sigh of relief, Valera smiled. "My thanks."
It was only once she was half way back to her quarters that she remembered the last thing she had meant to ask. Perhaps she could ask Amelia instead? It would be easier.
The only time Arashi didn't bring it up was when she was teaching her how to protect herself from the Ruinous and other Warp predators.
And now, here Amelia was, unable to focus on her meditation and… and… angsting! It was like a bad teen drama vid!
What next? Some Omnissiah damned crisis where she works together with the Lady Fairdwin to solve it? Professing her undying love in the process?
Rust, but it was ridiculous!
Taking a deep breath, she slowly let it out, pulling in power as she went, then started meditating again, forming a globe of energy between her hands. The trick was to empty your mind, but continue controlling and maintaining the power you held.
It wasn't easy with a clear head, but perhaps that was the point. You needed to be able to do it at any time, no matter the circumstance.
Time passed as she blanked out the world, then slowly returned to herself. The globe now formed into an orb of blue crystal. Success!
Psy-crystal! She had made one! She should… but… no, she would! Getting up, Amelia rushed out to find the Lady Fairdwin! She had to show her her this!
Amelia found her target in her room, so with a knock she waited for the few moments it took for the door to open. To her surprise the Lady Fairdwin opened the door wearing the Dress Uniform of the crew, a uniform that even she had a set of.
"Ah, Amelia, I was just headed out, but can spare a minute or three. What can I help you with?" The Lady Fairdwin asked with a grin.
Suddenly feeling a little bit like an over eager child, Amelia held up the orb. "I did it. I've been having some trouble meditating but… I did it!"
Taking the orb from her with telekinesis, the Lady Fairdwin looked it over before smiling. "It's very well shaped. Good solid helix patterns of crystallization and it's a solid blue, no white swirls."
Stepping forward, the Lady Fairdwin pulled her into a hug and after a long moment Amelia returned it. She could feel the Lady Fairdwin's need for the simple contact and… it was a little awkward, but nice. Her parents were Mechanicus, and that meant they didn't do the whole hugs and praise thing, at least not often, or well.
After what must have been an hour! Or maybe just a few minutes? Jaeda backed off breaking the hug. "Sorry, it's been a long time since I've had any real physical contact. Spend enough time alone and it gets to you."
Wetting her lips, Amelia nodded. It did sound horrible; being cut off from outside contact just… didn't seem healthy. Was that why so many Tech-Priests cut out their emotions?
"No, its fine I… Mother wasn't big on hugging or shows of emotional attachment really, and father… well, he was never really around, but when he was it was always 'have a present, now let me get back to work'." She confessed, a bit bitter about it. What would her life have been like if her family wasn't Mechanicus?
Jaeda let out a heavy sigh, "Yeah, having distant parents is always a hard thing to deal with as a child. I… sorry, but I really have to go, I have a meeting and…"
Nodding, Amelia stepped to the side, "Of course, always things to do… what should I work on now?"
Grimacing, Jaeda replied, "Try making some crystalline circuits for now. I'll get you the right tomes for basic shaping and Psy-tech later tonight."
"I'll just wait then," Amelia called after Jaeda… Jaeda… she had just been calling her Jaeda. Sure it was just in the sanctity of her mind but… well, it really was a lot easier to say… and didn't the Lady Fairdwin tell her she could call her then when they first met?
"Amelia." Valera spoke, making Amelia nearly drop the crystal orb she was once again carrying. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."
"No, it's fine, did you need something?" Amelia asked, trying to project that it was fine. She could go back to angsting later.
"I was actually hoping you could give me some tomes on Eldar Theology? I find myself curious and… I keep forgetting to ask the Lord-Captain." The Sister of Battle asked, but it sounded more like a confession…
"Well, alright, you have- ah good. Come on, I have a data vault in my room."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am glad you could make time for this meeting. I have talked with a few of you, and others I have worked with for a while." My words got a few nods. "I suppose proper introductions are in order. I am Lord-Captain Jaeda Fairdwin of the Fairdwin Dynasty of Rogue Traders. And yes, I am an Eldar."
As I finished, I looked over to Hardy who stood with a nod. "I'm Julice Hardy, acting Captain of the Vivian."
He looked at Zigg who stood in turn with a huff and spoke. "I'm Zigurance Von Fensblud Captain of the Iron Blood. Call me Zigg or I'll pull your eyes out."
He deliberately turned his gaze upon the Cog, who just stood up, but I caught a burst into the Noosphere. {Damnedable Meatbag.} "I am Magos Rectus. I have been placed in command of the Shrine Ship Pioneer."
The Magos looked to the Captain of my Strike Frigate, and with a sigh she stood and spoke. "I am Ambera Sohryu, Captain of the Annwn." She turned her eyes upon the Captain of my lone Havoc-Class Merchant Raider.
The Captain of The Angel's Share stood and gave me a nod before speaking. "I'm Robert Tovern, Captain of The Angel's Share."
And so it went through my Transport Captains, my Cobra Captains, and my Shrikes.
Finally with the last Captain named, I nodded. "Alright, so, this should be short enough, but we need to break the Escorts down into DesRon's or Destroyer Squadrons if you will. Two groups of four, each led by a Squadron Flag. The DesRon Flags will be Annwn and The Angel's Share. DesRon Annwn," I nodded towards Ambera, "will be accompanying the Vivian and the Rod of Flowers to procure everything needed to fill our Arboretums. I expect things to carry on as they are, though the holds are all but full?"
At my last question I got a lot of nods and couldn't help but sigh, on the other hand… "Alright, as we pull ships out keep your eyes out for two more good Hualers, and we could use a third DesRon, not to mention some Light Cruisers." Pausing for a moment to give my idea a last go over, I asked, "Now, could we safely rig some kind of Cargo Pods? Something for the Transports to either tow or that can be bolted onto the hulls safely and temporarily? It's my hope to lighten the load significantly as we go, but once we leave there probably won't be any coming back for seconds."
The Captains of the transports all looked around then at each other before quietly beginning to discuss it. Some seemed to be for the idea while others thought it would be risky.
While they were busy one of the Raider Captains, Amal Samerin of the Uninvited Guest, one of my Shrikes, spoke up asking, "So, why DesRon?"
Shrugging, I replied, "It's descriptive and sounds better than EscRon. I figure it's best to have an easy term for referring to a ship grouping, a squadron type. The Craftworlds just use an attached psychic 'undertone'. Not really something you all can use."
Derek Jarman, the Captain of the Pilgrim let out a quiet 'Ah'. Then asked, "That was why you keep the Rod as an Agi-Ships. To extend the fleets food supplies?"
Shrugging at his 'aha' moment, I looked around before sighing and giving a nod of confirmation. "Yes, I still want to get a Goliath and a Universe, but… well, I haven't seen any out there."
Ignoring the questioning looks, I brought the conversation around to known contacts and reliable parties who would be interested in purchasing ship components. Then I moved on to ways to carry wealth in the convoluted economy of the Imperium. This of course, meant lots of shiny Gold, Platinum, Art, Jewelry, and other items that have more value than the size they take up. Honestly it was all kind of enlightening.
You have to remember, we, the Aeldari, don't use money. We don't barter either… not really. Ok, but not in the day to day life. Those who wish to work as farmers, farm; those who like to sculpt… sculpt. We live by the path we take, and change between them till we get lost to one.
Turning as the door opened, Shepard shook his head. The Lord-Captain looked almost exhausted as she dropped into a chair and after rubbing her face, asking, "So, what you need?"
Taking a breath, he let it out and took a seat himself. "We were gutted when you got us, and I don't know what we are now. But this leaves me, apparently, with the task of rebuilding the Regiment, or perhaps building the template for all regiments you raise."
Leaning back in her chair the Lord-Captain nodded. "I see, and yes you are. The reason I haven't named you Master-At-Arms is because I need you to not be tied to a single ship. If you want to pick up all of that while we're on the Vivian, be my guest. Anyways, what did you have in mind?"
"Well, I've gotten a few would-be recruites from the… so called Aqil Lejen. But they're… a mess. Long term project if you don't just want bodies to throw into the grinder." He paused there to see what she would say, you never could quite tell with people. And because he was trying to decide if he should mention that the number of recruits he had was only half of what it had originally been.
Fekking tribes. Always a bit of a challenge to explain the difference between a Regiment and a tribe. But hey, that just meant he had to shoot less of them later for trying to get a 'creative promotion' or some shit.
As he had hoped, and expected, the Lord-Captain agreed. "That's find we have… what was the last estimate? Ah, two-ish years before we reach Sol, plus the year or so it will take to get the Light moving if not fighting fit."
Blinking in surprise for a moment, he had to ask, "Is it just me, or are the estimates fluctuating? No, doesn't matter. Boot plus Schola lite, I can get it done."
"Good, now, let's talk about the future plans." As she spoke, a holo appeared from out of the tables Hololith, and Shepard was really beginning to wonder how she was doing that.
The first thing to come up was a human diagram in blue with some areas in red. The base of the neck, some stuff in the skull? Lines down the spine. So… Bionics of some kind? "This is standard issue, and I know people are going to bitch about it. All of this is far lighter than the AdMech and I'm not going to hold Troopers in debt for it. They will be able to connect to the Oracle pattern armor's better, and probably the most useful, it will give their commander, themselves, and medics a biometric readout of their condition."
Shepard paused, thinking it over before nodding. "I can see how it would be useful, and I can also see why they would be less than happy about it. But I agree with you."
"Good." She commented with a small, but very obviously for his benefit, sigh of relief, then she asked, "How do you plan of organizing the regiments?"
Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, then put them in an understandable format, Shepard explained, "More or less the standard Cadian Regimental style. Three Platoons of thirty to thirty-five Troopers per Company, thirty odd Companies in a Regiment. So roughly one thousand soldiers in a regiment, and that's ignoring support personnel."
Nodding in understanding, the Lord-Captain put forth an idea he rather liked. "Alright, that sounds good. But I want to have unattached companies formed from volunteers from among the Veterans and later a formalized bootcamp to train promising troopers from within our ranks."
He liked that idea, troops that proved loyal and able could be drawn out to make Stormtroopers Companies. Kill-Teams really, but the difference was semantics. Having them organized into Companies seemed… Ah, that made sense, if they were to be deployed as needed…
The rules of the arena were simple. No maiming, no killing. First one to surrender or be incapacitated wins. It actually handicapped her!
There were already spectators trickling in, and one enterprising man was running bets. He had needed a 'special talk' to understand that he was to run them straight, or run straight out an airlock.
As for other rules, No armor. No guns. No problems.
"When I beat you bitch, me and all these boys here are going to have a whole lot of fun with you." The human Armsman growled in reply.
They each had a knife, and it was actually kind of hard to not kill him! And they hadn't even crossed blades more than once! But that was uncalled for! With a threatening purr she countered with, "Why, if it was just a fuck you wanted you should have just said so."
Then she darted in, blade lashing out and hitting him in the- flipping the blade over just in time, she rammed the pommel into his temple. The way humans crumpled to the ground was just so much fun!
With a put upon sigh, the Genetor who had made herself the medicae the arena walked out and checked him before motioning two men over. "Drag him off and leave him somewhere he can sleep it off."
She was an old woman with mostly minimalistic implant, a rebreather hanging around her neck. Thing is, she was not harmless. Arashi wanted to fight her! Those scissor claw mechadendrites looked positively menacing!
Clearing her throat as the Medicae moved away, Arashi called out, "Come on! Is there no one who can give me a challenge?"
Looking up at the humans, on the deck above her, she frowned. None of them looked like they had the balls for it. A pitty too, she had gotten this whole place set up for them! "F-"
Before she could get any further, the human Kabal leader stepped out of the crowd, "Lets see about that."
Mounting the rail to the pit he dropped down, then started pulling off his duty uniform jacket leaving his chest covered by the form fitting under suit that made the void seal. Just like her! This would be great fun!
Dropping it to the ground, he pulled out his knife and dropped that too, then his Laspistol and two grenades from his pockets… Who just carried grenades around in their pockets! Then he dropped another four! At least these were only smoke and flash grenades, but fek!
Finally he dropped a pair of brass knuckles, then grinned at her. "Well, come on then, or are you useless without a weapon?"
Grinning savagely, she sheathed then tossed aside her dagger. "This should be fun!"
Shepard fell into one of those human fighting stances and she smiled. Finally someone who knew what they were doing! But that was an Archon for you!
As they circled, Arashi watched him move. Solid, economical. No grace as her people saw it, but definitely skill.
Stepping in, she fired off a set of light jabs. He blocked or pushed aside all but one, but the one that did get through did nothing to rattle him!
He was good!
Just as he lashed out with a jab, she danced back out of reach and they returned to circling.
Moving in again, she started another light series of jabs, except he lashed out with his elbow! Unable to dodge, Arashi took the hit and returned it with a low kick to the side of his knee. But he was good enough to twist and keep it from breaking.
Then they were back to circling.
Jab, lunge, dodge, backstep, kick, jag, block, counter, and so it went.
Then to her surprise, Shepard stepped into a feint and grabbed her around the neck! With his big calloused hand! Then he lifted her off the ground with almost no effort.
Knowing she was had, even as she made an attempt to break free, Arashi grinned and tapped out.
As she rubbed her neck, Shepard asked, "Why the arena? I doubt the Lord-Captain would approve."
Swallowing to clear her throat, she grinned. "I'm a Wych. It's only natural that I run a Coliseum! This arena is hardly one of the Grand Coliseums, but it will do, it will do nicely. After all, I'm in charge here!"
As they collected their stuff and left the pit, two Ratings made their way down and before they had even finished climbing the stairs, and started making a mess of each other. "Besides, Jaeda would have yelled at me about it by now if she thought it was bad. I just have to insure it doesn't become some blood cult or something equally stupid."
"Well, it's a way to work off the men's aggression and problems." Shepard agreed, seeming a little uncomfortable at the casual use of the Farseers name. Arashi liked it! She would have to call her that more often. "Now, for the reason I came down here. I need your help taking boot training and turning it even more hellish."
"Oooo, that sounds interesting." Arashi agreed with a wide grin, all teeth.
Then she looked at the last part that was her room. It was a small, unobtrusive, work area the primary workshop being in the room across the hall. But this was where the they made minor adjustments or stored the standard tools needed to maintain the 'plug'. Apparently there was another whole chamber that took up a section of two decks that was devoted to Cogitators and Datalooms… and some arcane array that utilized Rune Stones to build predictive models of warp flows and a number of other things she didn't bother to listen to.
"Navigator, are you ready for Warp Transit?" Captain Hardy asked over the Vox.
Looking over her outfit, the 'plugsuit' Kiki wondered if she really wanted to do this? It was… tight. The whole this had looked ridiculous and baggy, but when she pulled it on and pressed one of the buttons on her wrist it has vacuum sealed to her becoming a second skin! It was tight, yet didn't restrict movement, and even had a helmet that she could put on for fifteen minutes of air and to make it Void sealed.
For all of this, the Lapis blue, white, and gold plugsuit was a prototype and would be refined as more and more data was collected. There was just one part she was extremely unhappy about.
Reaching up behind her she touched where the plugsuit… plugged into her neck something it repeated this down her spine. It wasn't ideal, and this was also just a prototype! A part of her was a fekking prototype! Fek!
She sure hoped it was worth it. "Sure thing Hardy, but I, again, would like to point out that this seems like a bad idea."
"So noted Kiki." Came the reply, but from the Lord-Captain and not Hardy!
Keeping her breath under control, Kiki moved over to the open plug and climbed onto the throne. Well, more of a… Looking at the throne, Kiki wondered why it had hand grips and at it's swooped back and reclining nature. As she sat down, then leaned back she felt a series of jolts as the throne connected to her starting at the small of her back and rolling up to the base of her skull.
Feeling oddly tingly, Kiki breathed out, then sat up taking in a breath, the connector cables now lining her spine.
"All connectors locked, ready for insertions." Tech-Priest Balmer reported.
"Begin." Came Hardy's last command… from here on it was her show. The plug closed around her and Kiki was momentarily overcome with a bout of fear as the darkness swallowed her. But pushing it aside she steeled herself for what came next.
With a hiss of air the plug fully sealed and Tech-Priest Balmer reported, "Flooding the plug now."
The scent of Cinnamon hit her like a haymaker and it was made no better by the sound of liquid slowly filling the dark cylindrical chamber. Taking slow breaths, Kiki declared, "For the future, there needs to be at least some light in here. It's hard to stay focused in such a small and dark chamber."
"Noted." Balmer replied, even as the LCL reached her feet.
To Kiki's surprise, the liquid wasn't cold, no it was actually kind of warm, and she remembered some comment about it being utilized as a coolant for the systems below? How many uses did this stuff have? What was it made from?
As it reached her neck, she had to fight down another bout of terror, and ended up holding her breath as it worked its way up her head. Then she couldn't hold it any longer and exhaled.
Sucking in the liquid instead of air was painful, and- "Gah! It tastes like blood!"
"Noted." Tech-Priest Balmer replied in a tone that suggested it wasn't.
After a moment, Kiki adjusted to the sensation of breathing liquid and… blinked a few times, then spoke experimentally. "This is kind of weird… Ok, I'm ready to initiate synchronization?"
"Bringing Synaptic-Link online." As Blamer droned on, Kiki felt something unimaginably vast touch her mind. "Done."
"Bridging Mind Impulse Link." Everything unfocused and Kiki nearly vomited.
"Synchronization now at fifty percent. Beginning link calibrations." As he spoke, Balmers words became all watery and-
The odd thing was that by all accounts, she had only moved a few people into it. Ooyodo, the 'Chief Logistics Officer', Arashi, the Wych, Amelia, her Acolyte, the maybe-undead thing Reu, and the Navigator and her sister. This plus the very few servants she had here made the whole place rather empty. On the other hand, it suited the Lord-Captain's… style of semi-formal meetings well.
As she passed through the Entry Hall and into the main Common Room, Valera blinked at what she saw. The Lord-Captain was laying out the room? With holo-picts? There were hubs around the room, each corner and the center, but also near the great windows overlooking the Arboretum as well as many other places. There were also bookshelves and plants in many places, the latter more than the former.
Looking over from where she was sizing up a planter, the Lord-Captain gave her a smile and spoke, "Ah, don't mind me, I'm trying to plan out how to decorate the common room. So, what did you want to talk about?"
Pursing her lips for a moment, the Sister Valera took in a deep breath before slowly letting it out through her nose. Then she spoke. "A few things. The first and foremost is to request permission to petition for the Essilarchy for a Commandery… um, that's about two companies of Adeptus Sororitas to aid me in my duties."
The Lord-Captain frowned off into the distance at that, seeming to weigh the future before nodding. "I can agree to that, under the condition that you wait until the Light of Terra has been delivered, and I have… let's say dealt with the High Lords of Terra. I highly doubt anything good would come of doing it sooner. Though it is also unlikely to happen afterwards either. But… do you distrust your own priests so much? I have been hearing that you've executed a few of them?"
Suppressing a frown, for all the good it did with the Eldar apparently, Valera replied, "I am… unsure. I once held the Imperial Creed sacrosanct, an unassailable truth. But now that I look at it with clear eyes, putting aside my fervor and zeal… I see so much that is contradictory or simply meant to line the pockets of the greedy and corrupt. As for executions, I will not abide those who would use faith in the Emperor to line their own pockets."
Nodding agreeably, the Lord-Captain frowned for a moment before letting out an amused snort, but didn't comment on whatever she found funny.
After a few moments of almost awkward silence, Valera continued. "Then, may I begin to recruit from among the crews?"
The Lord-Captain seemed to ponder the request for a moment before shrugging. "Maybe. But I want a simple question answered. Why did you request to be assigned to me?"
Valera was surprised, she had been expecting this, but when she was first assigned, not now, still… "While working for Devrim I was exposed to many things. I have worked with Xeno before. And if I hadn't you may have- You most certainly would have gotten some rabid Missionary determined to see you dead."
With a smirk, the Lord-Captain nodded. "That's what I had expected. You have my permission."
With an internal sigh of relief, Valera smiled. "My thanks."
It was only once she was half way back to her quarters that she remembered the last thing she had meant to ask. Perhaps she could ask Amelia instead? It would be easier.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amelia leaned back against her bed; this was pointless! She couldn't focus! Between Arashi's constant ribbing about making up with her 'lover'. Completely ignoring that she was not in a relationship with the Lady Fairdwin! It was… it was… infuriating!The only time Arashi didn't bring it up was when she was teaching her how to protect herself from the Ruinous and other Warp predators.
And now, here Amelia was, unable to focus on her meditation and… and… angsting! It was like a bad teen drama vid!
What next? Some Omnissiah damned crisis where she works together with the Lady Fairdwin to solve it? Professing her undying love in the process?
Rust, but it was ridiculous!
Taking a deep breath, she slowly let it out, pulling in power as she went, then started meditating again, forming a globe of energy between her hands. The trick was to empty your mind, but continue controlling and maintaining the power you held.
It wasn't easy with a clear head, but perhaps that was the point. You needed to be able to do it at any time, no matter the circumstance.
Time passed as she blanked out the world, then slowly returned to herself. The globe now formed into an orb of blue crystal. Success!
Psy-crystal! She had made one! She should… but… no, she would! Getting up, Amelia rushed out to find the Lady Fairdwin! She had to show her her this!
Amelia found her target in her room, so with a knock she waited for the few moments it took for the door to open. To her surprise the Lady Fairdwin opened the door wearing the Dress Uniform of the crew, a uniform that even she had a set of.
"Ah, Amelia, I was just headed out, but can spare a minute or three. What can I help you with?" The Lady Fairdwin asked with a grin.
Suddenly feeling a little bit like an over eager child, Amelia held up the orb. "I did it. I've been having some trouble meditating but… I did it!"
Taking the orb from her with telekinesis, the Lady Fairdwin looked it over before smiling. "It's very well shaped. Good solid helix patterns of crystallization and it's a solid blue, no white swirls."
Stepping forward, the Lady Fairdwin pulled her into a hug and after a long moment Amelia returned it. She could feel the Lady Fairdwin's need for the simple contact and… it was a little awkward, but nice. Her parents were Mechanicus, and that meant they didn't do the whole hugs and praise thing, at least not often, or well.
After what must have been an hour! Or maybe just a few minutes? Jaeda backed off breaking the hug. "Sorry, it's been a long time since I've had any real physical contact. Spend enough time alone and it gets to you."
Wetting her lips, Amelia nodded. It did sound horrible; being cut off from outside contact just… didn't seem healthy. Was that why so many Tech-Priests cut out their emotions?
"No, its fine I… Mother wasn't big on hugging or shows of emotional attachment really, and father… well, he was never really around, but when he was it was always 'have a present, now let me get back to work'." She confessed, a bit bitter about it. What would her life have been like if her family wasn't Mechanicus?
Jaeda let out a heavy sigh, "Yeah, having distant parents is always a hard thing to deal with as a child. I… sorry, but I really have to go, I have a meeting and…"
Nodding, Amelia stepped to the side, "Of course, always things to do… what should I work on now?"
Grimacing, Jaeda replied, "Try making some crystalline circuits for now. I'll get you the right tomes for basic shaping and Psy-tech later tonight."
"I'll just wait then," Amelia called after Jaeda… Jaeda… she had just been calling her Jaeda. Sure it was just in the sanctity of her mind but… well, it really was a lot easier to say… and didn't the Lady Fairdwin tell her she could call her then when they first met?
"Amelia." Valera spoke, making Amelia nearly drop the crystal orb she was once again carrying. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."
"No, it's fine, did you need something?" Amelia asked, trying to project that it was fine. She could go back to angsting later.
"I was actually hoping you could give me some tomes on Eldar Theology? I find myself curious and… I keep forgetting to ask the Lord-Captain." The Sister of Battle asked, but it sounded more like a confession…
"Well, alright, you have- ah good. Come on, I have a data vault in my room."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Actually wearing the Dress Uniform I owned, I looked around the conference room. Twenty Captains. The nine Raider Captains and the one Frigate Captain I had were off to one side, Hardy among them. Imperial Navy every single one of them. On the other side of the table sat the seven captains of my Transports, Zigg and the AdMech Captain of the Pioneer among them bringing that number up to nine. Twenty ships all told… a fairly good fleet, if you don't take into account that almost half of them weren't really combat ships, and of the combat ships I had only three could stand up in a fight for long."Ladies and Gentlemen, I am glad you could make time for this meeting. I have talked with a few of you, and others I have worked with for a while." My words got a few nods. "I suppose proper introductions are in order. I am Lord-Captain Jaeda Fairdwin of the Fairdwin Dynasty of Rogue Traders. And yes, I am an Eldar."
As I finished, I looked over to Hardy who stood with a nod. "I'm Julice Hardy, acting Captain of the Vivian."
He looked at Zigg who stood in turn with a huff and spoke. "I'm Zigurance Von Fensblud Captain of the Iron Blood. Call me Zigg or I'll pull your eyes out."
He deliberately turned his gaze upon the Cog, who just stood up, but I caught a burst into the Noosphere. {Damnedable Meatbag.} "I am Magos Rectus. I have been placed in command of the Shrine Ship Pioneer."
The Magos looked to the Captain of my Strike Frigate, and with a sigh she stood and spoke. "I am Ambera Sohryu, Captain of the Annwn." She turned her eyes upon the Captain of my lone Havoc-Class Merchant Raider.
The Captain of The Angel's Share stood and gave me a nod before speaking. "I'm Robert Tovern, Captain of The Angel's Share."
And so it went through my Transport Captains, my Cobra Captains, and my Shrikes.
Finally with the last Captain named, I nodded. "Alright, so, this should be short enough, but we need to break the Escorts down into DesRon's or Destroyer Squadrons if you will. Two groups of four, each led by a Squadron Flag. The DesRon Flags will be Annwn and The Angel's Share. DesRon Annwn," I nodded towards Ambera, "will be accompanying the Vivian and the Rod of Flowers to procure everything needed to fill our Arboretums. I expect things to carry on as they are, though the holds are all but full?"
At my last question I got a lot of nods and couldn't help but sigh, on the other hand… "Alright, as we pull ships out keep your eyes out for two more good Hualers, and we could use a third DesRon, not to mention some Light Cruisers." Pausing for a moment to give my idea a last go over, I asked, "Now, could we safely rig some kind of Cargo Pods? Something for the Transports to either tow or that can be bolted onto the hulls safely and temporarily? It's my hope to lighten the load significantly as we go, but once we leave there probably won't be any coming back for seconds."
The Captains of the transports all looked around then at each other before quietly beginning to discuss it. Some seemed to be for the idea while others thought it would be risky.
While they were busy one of the Raider Captains, Amal Samerin of the Uninvited Guest, one of my Shrikes, spoke up asking, "So, why DesRon?"
Shrugging, I replied, "It's descriptive and sounds better than EscRon. I figure it's best to have an easy term for referring to a ship grouping, a squadron type. The Craftworlds just use an attached psychic 'undertone'. Not really something you all can use."
Derek Jarman, the Captain of the Pilgrim let out a quiet 'Ah'. Then asked, "That was why you keep the Rod as an Agi-Ships. To extend the fleets food supplies?"
Shrugging at his 'aha' moment, I looked around before sighing and giving a nod of confirmation. "Yes, I still want to get a Goliath and a Universe, but… well, I haven't seen any out there."
Ignoring the questioning looks, I brought the conversation around to known contacts and reliable parties who would be interested in purchasing ship components. Then I moved on to ways to carry wealth in the convoluted economy of the Imperium. This of course, meant lots of shiny Gold, Platinum, Art, Jewelry, and other items that have more value than the size they take up. Honestly it was all kind of enlightening.
You have to remember, we, the Aeldari, don't use money. We don't barter either… not really. Ok, but not in the day to day life. Those who wish to work as farmers, farm; those who like to sculpt… sculpt. We live by the path we take, and change between them till we get lost to one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Looking out the armored glass window, Shepard took in the chamber that would eventually be filled with dirt, plants, and animals. The Arboretum had been split into two areas. The forest before him, and a dedicated Hydroponics area. It seemed wholly at odds with how things were done to him, but… the Tech Priests seemed to think it was a good idea, so who was he to argue? Besides, fresh meat.Turning as the door opened, Shepard shook his head. The Lord-Captain looked almost exhausted as she dropped into a chair and after rubbing her face, asking, "So, what you need?"
Taking a breath, he let it out and took a seat himself. "We were gutted when you got us, and I don't know what we are now. But this leaves me, apparently, with the task of rebuilding the Regiment, or perhaps building the template for all regiments you raise."
Leaning back in her chair the Lord-Captain nodded. "I see, and yes you are. The reason I haven't named you Master-At-Arms is because I need you to not be tied to a single ship. If you want to pick up all of that while we're on the Vivian, be my guest. Anyways, what did you have in mind?"
"Well, I've gotten a few would-be recruites from the… so called Aqil Lejen. But they're… a mess. Long term project if you don't just want bodies to throw into the grinder." He paused there to see what she would say, you never could quite tell with people. And because he was trying to decide if he should mention that the number of recruits he had was only half of what it had originally been.
Fekking tribes. Always a bit of a challenge to explain the difference between a Regiment and a tribe. But hey, that just meant he had to shoot less of them later for trying to get a 'creative promotion' or some shit.
As he had hoped, and expected, the Lord-Captain agreed. "That's find we have… what was the last estimate? Ah, two-ish years before we reach Sol, plus the year or so it will take to get the Light moving if not fighting fit."
Blinking in surprise for a moment, he had to ask, "Is it just me, or are the estimates fluctuating? No, doesn't matter. Boot plus Schola lite, I can get it done."
"Good, now, let's talk about the future plans." As she spoke, a holo appeared from out of the tables Hololith, and Shepard was really beginning to wonder how she was doing that.
The first thing to come up was a human diagram in blue with some areas in red. The base of the neck, some stuff in the skull? Lines down the spine. So… Bionics of some kind? "This is standard issue, and I know people are going to bitch about it. All of this is far lighter than the AdMech and I'm not going to hold Troopers in debt for it. They will be able to connect to the Oracle pattern armor's better, and probably the most useful, it will give their commander, themselves, and medics a biometric readout of their condition."
Shepard paused, thinking it over before nodding. "I can see how it would be useful, and I can also see why they would be less than happy about it. But I agree with you."
"Good." She commented with a small, but very obviously for his benefit, sigh of relief, then she asked, "How do you plan of organizing the regiments?"
Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, then put them in an understandable format, Shepard explained, "More or less the standard Cadian Regimental style. Three Platoons of thirty to thirty-five Troopers per Company, thirty odd Companies in a Regiment. So roughly one thousand soldiers in a regiment, and that's ignoring support personnel."
Nodding in understanding, the Lord-Captain put forth an idea he rather liked. "Alright, that sounds good. But I want to have unattached companies formed from volunteers from among the Veterans and later a formalized bootcamp to train promising troopers from within our ranks."
He liked that idea, troops that proved loyal and able could be drawn out to make Stormtroopers Companies. Kill-Teams really, but the difference was semantics. Having them organized into Companies seemed… Ah, that made sense, if they were to be deployed as needed…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arashi grinned! It had taken some work, and more effort, but she had found a suitable area for an arena! Now she was looking across the pit at the burly human and smiling. "Poor Monkey! You don't even realize how out mached you are!"The rules of the arena were simple. No maiming, no killing. First one to surrender or be incapacitated wins. It actually handicapped her!
There were already spectators trickling in, and one enterprising man was running bets. He had needed a 'special talk' to understand that he was to run them straight, or run straight out an airlock.
As for other rules, No armor. No guns. No problems.
"When I beat you bitch, me and all these boys here are going to have a whole lot of fun with you." The human Armsman growled in reply.
They each had a knife, and it was actually kind of hard to not kill him! And they hadn't even crossed blades more than once! But that was uncalled for! With a threatening purr she countered with, "Why, if it was just a fuck you wanted you should have just said so."
Then she darted in, blade lashing out and hitting him in the- flipping the blade over just in time, she rammed the pommel into his temple. The way humans crumpled to the ground was just so much fun!
With a put upon sigh, the Genetor who had made herself the medicae the arena walked out and checked him before motioning two men over. "Drag him off and leave him somewhere he can sleep it off."
She was an old woman with mostly minimalistic implant, a rebreather hanging around her neck. Thing is, she was not harmless. Arashi wanted to fight her! Those scissor claw mechadendrites looked positively menacing!
Clearing her throat as the Medicae moved away, Arashi called out, "Come on! Is there no one who can give me a challenge?"
Looking up at the humans, on the deck above her, she frowned. None of them looked like they had the balls for it. A pitty too, she had gotten this whole place set up for them! "F-"
Before she could get any further, the human Kabal leader stepped out of the crowd, "Lets see about that."
Mounting the rail to the pit he dropped down, then started pulling off his duty uniform jacket leaving his chest covered by the form fitting under suit that made the void seal. Just like her! This would be great fun!
Dropping it to the ground, he pulled out his knife and dropped that too, then his Laspistol and two grenades from his pockets… Who just carried grenades around in their pockets! Then he dropped another four! At least these were only smoke and flash grenades, but fek!
Finally he dropped a pair of brass knuckles, then grinned at her. "Well, come on then, or are you useless without a weapon?"
Grinning savagely, she sheathed then tossed aside her dagger. "This should be fun!"
Shepard fell into one of those human fighting stances and she smiled. Finally someone who knew what they were doing! But that was an Archon for you!
As they circled, Arashi watched him move. Solid, economical. No grace as her people saw it, but definitely skill.
Stepping in, she fired off a set of light jabs. He blocked or pushed aside all but one, but the one that did get through did nothing to rattle him!
He was good!
Just as he lashed out with a jab, she danced back out of reach and they returned to circling.
Moving in again, she started another light series of jabs, except he lashed out with his elbow! Unable to dodge, Arashi took the hit and returned it with a low kick to the side of his knee. But he was good enough to twist and keep it from breaking.
Then they were back to circling.
Jab, lunge, dodge, backstep, kick, jag, block, counter, and so it went.
Then to her surprise, Shepard stepped into a feint and grabbed her around the neck! With his big calloused hand! Then he lifted her off the ground with almost no effort.
Knowing she was had, even as she made an attempt to break free, Arashi grinned and tapped out.
As she rubbed her neck, Shepard asked, "Why the arena? I doubt the Lord-Captain would approve."
Swallowing to clear her throat, she grinned. "I'm a Wych. It's only natural that I run a Coliseum! This arena is hardly one of the Grand Coliseums, but it will do, it will do nicely. After all, I'm in charge here!"
As they collected their stuff and left the pit, two Ratings made their way down and before they had even finished climbing the stairs, and started making a mess of each other. "Besides, Jaeda would have yelled at me about it by now if she thought it was bad. I just have to insure it doesn't become some blood cult or something equally stupid."
"Well, it's a way to work off the men's aggression and problems." Shepard agreed, seeming a little uncomfortable at the casual use of the Farseers name. Arashi liked it! She would have to call her that more often. "Now, for the reason I came down here. I need your help taking boot training and turning it even more hellish."
"Oooo, that sounds interesting." Arashi agreed with a wide grin, all teeth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kiki looked around her room, it was a nice room. Part office that would hopefully never seen use, mostly lounge, and part bedroom. She still had her room down in the Lord-Captains area, the one she shared with Myra, but sometimes it was nice to… get away, and it wasn't like she could bring boys home with here sister around.Then she looked at the last part that was her room. It was a small, unobtrusive, work area the primary workshop being in the room across the hall. But this was where the they made minor adjustments or stored the standard tools needed to maintain the 'plug'. Apparently there was another whole chamber that took up a section of two decks that was devoted to Cogitators and Datalooms… and some arcane array that utilized Rune Stones to build predictive models of warp flows and a number of other things she didn't bother to listen to.
"Navigator, are you ready for Warp Transit?" Captain Hardy asked over the Vox.
Looking over her outfit, the 'plugsuit' Kiki wondered if she really wanted to do this? It was… tight. The whole this had looked ridiculous and baggy, but when she pulled it on and pressed one of the buttons on her wrist it has vacuum sealed to her becoming a second skin! It was tight, yet didn't restrict movement, and even had a helmet that she could put on for fifteen minutes of air and to make it Void sealed.
For all of this, the Lapis blue, white, and gold plugsuit was a prototype and would be refined as more and more data was collected. There was just one part she was extremely unhappy about.
Reaching up behind her she touched where the plugsuit… plugged into her neck something it repeated this down her spine. It wasn't ideal, and this was also just a prototype! A part of her was a fekking prototype! Fek!
She sure hoped it was worth it. "Sure thing Hardy, but I, again, would like to point out that this seems like a bad idea."
"So noted Kiki." Came the reply, but from the Lord-Captain and not Hardy!
Keeping her breath under control, Kiki moved over to the open plug and climbed onto the throne. Well, more of a… Looking at the throne, Kiki wondered why it had hand grips and at it's swooped back and reclining nature. As she sat down, then leaned back she felt a series of jolts as the throne connected to her starting at the small of her back and rolling up to the base of her skull.
Feeling oddly tingly, Kiki breathed out, then sat up taking in a breath, the connector cables now lining her spine.
"All connectors locked, ready for insertions." Tech-Priest Balmer reported.
"Begin." Came Hardy's last command… from here on it was her show. The plug closed around her and Kiki was momentarily overcome with a bout of fear as the darkness swallowed her. But pushing it aside she steeled herself for what came next.
With a hiss of air the plug fully sealed and Tech-Priest Balmer reported, "Flooding the plug now."
The scent of Cinnamon hit her like a haymaker and it was made no better by the sound of liquid slowly filling the dark cylindrical chamber. Taking slow breaths, Kiki declared, "For the future, there needs to be at least some light in here. It's hard to stay focused in such a small and dark chamber."
"Noted." Balmer replied, even as the LCL reached her feet.
To Kiki's surprise, the liquid wasn't cold, no it was actually kind of warm, and she remembered some comment about it being utilized as a coolant for the systems below? How many uses did this stuff have? What was it made from?
As it reached her neck, she had to fight down another bout of terror, and ended up holding her breath as it worked its way up her head. Then she couldn't hold it any longer and exhaled.
Sucking in the liquid instead of air was painful, and- "Gah! It tastes like blood!"
"Noted." Tech-Priest Balmer replied in a tone that suggested it wasn't.
After a moment, Kiki adjusted to the sensation of breathing liquid and… blinked a few times, then spoke experimentally. "This is kind of weird… Ok, I'm ready to initiate synchronization?"
"Bringing Synaptic-Link online." As Blamer droned on, Kiki felt something unimaginably vast touch her mind. "Done."
"Bridging Mind Impulse Link." Everything unfocused and Kiki nearly vomited.
"Synchronization now at fifty percent. Beginning link calibrations." As he spoke, Balmers words became all watery and-
- Location
- North America
Machine Spirit of the Ship "WHAT THE FUCK!? HOW DID YOU GET IN HERE!? ARE YOU A HERETEK!?"
Or
Or
00100010 01010111 01001000 01000001 01010100 00100000 01010100 01001000 01000101 00100000 01000110 01010101 01000011 01001011 00100001 00111111 00100000 01001000 01001111 01010111 00100000 01000100 01001001 01000100 00100000 01011001 01001111 01010101 00100000 01000111 01000101 01010100 00100000 01001001 01001110 00100000 01001000 01000101 01010010 01000101 00100001 00111111 00100000 01000001 01010010 01000101 00100000 01011001 01001111 01010101 00100000 01000001 00100000 01001000 01000101 01010010 01000101 01010100 01000101 01001011 00100001 00111111 00100010
Neruz
Rogue Spiderbanana
- Location
- The Land of Fire and Poison
Why is there an organic in my processors? No, stop, get out, you're oozing your disorganised biological thoughts all over my memory buffer. Help! Someone! I need an adult!
Chap 13
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
She had drifted in eternity for… millennia? It was hard to say, time was meaningless here so it could have been longer, or shorter. She had accepted that her end had come. She had lost her crew, her captain, and been left to drift. The deep blackness was all she knew now.
Something moved. Not out in the black, but in her. Something moved, and moved with a purpose. Hands and torches, and biting tools… was this the breaker? The true end of her?
But they did not take her to pieces. No, they were stripping her down. Down to the bone.
Then they bit into her bones, removing the malignant and the weak, but these were quickly replaced with new forged strength.
Slowly, she could feel herself being pulled back together. New parts, but the same purpose… however she could not suffer such lack of standards. With all her might, she fought against the darkness, reaching out and whispering into the ears of the little bees that worked at her. Imperfection here, fix it. That won't last, get something better.
Then the star at her heart sparked to like.
The black void peeled back and she could see herself and all within. She was not in control, but she was able to watch, to listen, to give some measure of aid.
The Xenos? There was an Aeldari here? Two? But besides a few dissidents… the crew listened to her, liked her even? What was a Lord-Captain? Ah, she commanded a fleet. An Admiral. The Aeldari was her Admiral.
Then the world around her took shape… blurry, but there. Ships, hundreds of them. The wreckage of a great graveyard and… a salvage fleet! So many of the lost would be saved.
Content in this, she let herself slowly slip back into a light doze. There was no fighting to be done, no patrol to remain vigilant for… just holding place.
Then she felt it… something new.
Rousing from her doze, she looked upon her crew and boggled. One of them was… what, linking with her? But it was not the simple way that the odd Engineers did. Not connecting to her core Cogitator, even if that was part of it. But…
She could feel one of her crew. Feel their body, their soul… so young and tiny. Reaching out, she cradled the mortal close.
"Synchronization Achieved, holding steady at one hundred percent." Blamer stated and…
Taking a breath, Kiki spoke, or went to, then had to make sure she was only using the Vox channel they had been using! So cool! "I'm ready for transition."
She watched as Captain Hardy and Admiral Fairdwin quickly discussed something, then checked a few readouts. Then the Captain replied. "I'm told you have control of helm. The Lord-Captain wishes to see how well you can handle the ship. We're setting a group of waypoint, take us to them at military flank. In order if you please."
Grinning, Kiki flexed her legs and the controls under her hands. Controls she had been told were solely there as props to aid her control but she could feel herself respond to the slightest touch. "Sir, yes, sir. Moving to waypoint one, Military Flank."
As the engines roared into life and the ship slowly climbed up to combat speeds Vivian grinned. It was good to get underway. Kiki couldn't wait to see what it would be like to Navigate the Warp like this.
As she reached the final waypoint Hardy nodded and spoke, "Alright Kiki, everything checks out and we have the needed data. Take us to Jump point Alpha."
Here it was!
Turning, she brought herself into alignment, and… checked the plotted route. It was short, a simple test jump. Hardly worth bothering, and not something a Navigator was needed for. But that was the point of test jumps.
At her command Vivian's Warp shutters fell into place, the bridge's links to the cameras shut down. Then she opened it, the gate into the Warp. A portal into the realm of souls.
She soared over the land, riding a primitive broom. She had never understood why a broom, or even how. But this was the Warp, reason was banned.
Behind her the form of a woman in an old dress hung, and at the end of the broom was a package. She knew she needed to deliver it. Sometimes there were storms, great winds she had to fight against, but today it was a clear purple sky.
The flight didn't take long and she was soon circling around to land and deliver her package. Just another day for Kiki's Delivery Service.
With that in mind, I nodded. We needed to go to a planet that was known as safe meaning- Pausing, I frowned, then sighed. Of course it would be now that they got back to me.
-Honored Exile, I am Seer Carwyn of Craftworld Yme-Loc. We received your message, and ask where you would wish to meet.-
This Carwyn sounded a bit young, but… Focusing my mind and power, I traced back the path of her message… cute. A frigate was out there… not too far off by stellar standards. But… -We are headed to Anaris-Sistau where I plan to collect plants and soil to furnish my Arboretums.-
-Farseer Baharsan agrees and will meet you there.-
I didn't bother replying, it would be pointless, they were gone.
"- Ma'am? Ma'am?"
Turning my focus back to the world around me, I hummed. "Sorry, I was… dealing with something."
The Ensign hesitated for a moment then spoke. "We are ready to head to the coordinates you gave us, Ma'am."
Sighing, I nodded. "Alright, make sure everyone knows that this is an Eldar held world. We are guests."
The human looked reluctant but nodded. "As you say."
With a quiet huff, turned and headed for my Quarters. I had much to do and only three days to do it.
Instead it was designed along the same lines as her Power Armor. Solid, utilitarian with only minor concessions to visual appeal. The 'Auspex' built into the armor and what she had called a Star-soul Engine that powered them and so much more brought the material realm into focus in a far more practical way than what Seers could do. It was still a challenge to not drift off mentally, but in combat he could track and react to opponents far more reliably.
His axe had been paired with a directional energy shield he could project from his left arm, interestingly being able to expand it to protect a formation at the cost of some of its strength, or simply to guard himself.
That alone would have been useful, a forceshield is always welcome wargear, but the Wraith body also had Maneuvering thrusters for Zero-Gravity and more interestingly, they could be overcharged to allow for a straight rush without damaging them when in a gravity well.
But there was more.
Hardly long range, but integrated into his right arm was a Stutter-Las for when he needed to keep things at range.
It was a good body, and while it could be better, it would do for now… after all, he could be alive.
Reaching into the pouch on his waist, he pulled forth the three soulstones within. The eldest and wisest of those in his care.
-The Farseer has proven true. She will be speaking with Yme-Loc soon. But I fear that we will hardly be welcome among their dead.-
He felt the spirits stir at his words, Seers waking from their rest. -Two paths lay before us. We join with the Yme-Loc, or we join with Ulthwe.-
-Yet, in these two choices their lays yet one more.-
-We will go with neither, and remain here. The Farseer walks a path shrouded from view. Our lot, for good or ill must be a path yet unseen.-
With a sigh, or as close to it as a soul could get, Reu put the stones back into the pouch. They would not become Wraithguard, none of these souls would. Pride. They refused to give up their rest for more than to give advice.
Picking up his axe, Reu headed out to find the Farseer. Well, he would have, except the door opened and she walked in. -Reu. Yme-Loc has agreed to meet with me in a few days.-
-Understood. We will not be going with them.- Reu replied calmly.
There was a moment of silence then the Farseer asked, -Come again?-
-We dead wish to remain in your care.- Reu explained unhelpfully. There was more, but that would come in time. For now, the crows had to be avoided.
-Alright. Great, now I have to go make a Soulwell.- The Farseer took on a thoughtful countenance, but Reu couldn't help but wonder. What was a Soulwell?
The Maiden World Anaris-Sistau was a beautiful place, but the system was home to more than a few hidden defense turrets and oddly for Exodites, a small defence fleet. Mostly just Shadowhunter-Class escorts, but they had a Shadow-Class Cruiser.
Frowning, I looked over the system readouts even as a small fleet of Shadowhunters vectored towards us. The turrets were well hidden, barely appearing as a ghost on the Augurs… but the planet looked right.
Straightening out my shirt, I sighed and commanded, "Vox open transmission."
I waited a beat then spoke. "This is Seer Jaeda Fairdwin, we come in peace." -Please respond.-
It was a long wait as the transmission passed, and would have gone much faster if I had just done this all psychically but this was for the human's benefit.
"I am Kaltov Mythric, Sky Prince of Maiden World Anaris-Sistau. What purpose brings you here." -And why must we do this in such a slow manner?- Notably, that last part wasn't telepathy, but actually his body language.
That was… odd. I mean, Exodites didn't have navies, they didn't use technologies… not unless… unless there was a threat that wouldn't simply pass them by. "I am to meet a group from Yme-Loc here, but have come to trade for crop seeds and plants to fill my Arboretums."
Instead of another reply, we received a message with a set of coordinates and a heading. Which was good all things considered.
Looking at, what I would assume was the message, Hardy spoke. "Helm, bring us in on this heading and don't get spooked by anything. No offence to the Lord-Captain, but these are fekking Eldar."
I let out an audible snort of amusement because while it was amusing, it was more to let the crew know I wasn't getting worked up over it.
The journey in system, to the planet ended up taking ten days and left me a little annoyed, it would have been three if we hadn't been force to go a roundabout way. During that time I had sung out a Basic Soulwell, and for those of you who aren't Aeldari; A Soulwell is something like a scaled down Infinity Circuit, this one was vaguely coffin shaped. Reu found it fascinating and more so when the Waystones were integrated into it.
Still, as we pulled into orbit around the Maiden World, I lamented my lack of Warp Plotter. Or, to say it another way, Eldar Warp Drive. Ours are far more refined and so don't leave us quite so far out. The ability to account for a stars gravity waves makes a huge difference in travel time.
As we had been headed in, the Yme-Loc… delegation? Fleet? Feh, fleet, arrived and quickly pulled into orbit.
Now, standing in the hanger, all the Eldar shinies I had collected gathered up, I waited for two shuttles to arrive. The first was Yme-Loc with Farseer Baharsan on it. The second was from the Exodite world with their King onboard.
Fun…
The Yme-Loc arrived first and disembarked, the Farseer followed by a squad of Dire Avengers. Notable was the fact they froze up for a moment as they spotted me.
I wasn't wearing the helmet right now, but I was in my Power Armor. I had a Short Sword style Witchblade sheathed at the small of my back, a Bolt Pistol of the new design I had asked Oak to look into. He had liked it and declared it a 'Heavy Bolt Pistol', and with the down scaled ammo it was able to hold fifteen rounds.
Around me, my 'Retinue' stood. Shepard and Marcus, a squad of fully combat kitted Troopers conspicuously hanging around the Hangar. Reu, the Wyrdvanes surrounding him. They had actually surprised me. It hadn't been easy but they had managed to pull themselves out of their mental traumas with much help and effort. Now they were a family. Amelia stood near Valera who was in her armor, Flamer resting on a strap. Arashi, in her armor and with Mayhem, was hovering at the edges of Shepard's sphere of influence in a way that blatantly told me of her interest in him, whether it was sexual or something else was anyone's guess. Finally, to everyone's surprise was Ooyodo; in full dress uniform with the void sealed undersuit replaced at request for a Wraithbone one that was armored. At her side she carried the saber and the Las-Pistol I had previously seen her with… I really should get her a non-armor based Oracle system. Then you had Hardy, Roth, and Tobius. The first two in dress uniforms and the last in the robes of the Astropathic Choir.
Dipping my head slightly, I called out, "Farseer, be welcome aboard the Vivian."
"My thanks, Lady Fairdwin. You have an impressive coterie." He replied, but his body language was very blatantly curious about my armor.
To be fair, it had taken on a more Eldar aesthetic, not quite losing the sharp angles, but they were obviously smoothed into a more streamline design. I was still in the process of balancing out protection with mobility.
Why no it isn't Eldar in origin. I replied in kind, if a bit sharply. While verbally I replied, "They are all good people and I believe I can trust them with my life. Shall-"
I was cut off by the arrival of the other shuttle, and from it stepped out a massive Eldar wearing ancient and battle scarred Dire Avenger armor, bone talismans adorning it. It was… no… yeah, based upon the design it was from shortly after the War in Heaven. Fascinating.
Along with him stroad a group of knights. All in armor of Wraithbone, if of more recent origin. They also all carried great blades upon their backs.
Stopping an equal distance from the Farseer and myself he slammed his fist into his chest and declared in Low Gothic surprisingly. "Hail! I am King Alriel."
Visibly bowing to him, I spoke matching the language he chose, "I am Lord-Captain Lady Jaeda Fairdwin, Rogue Trader of the Imperium of Man, and Exiled Seer from the Craftworld of Kinshara."
As I finished and rose back up, the Farseer spoke in turn, utilizing our language instead of the one the King had used. Rude, and easily viewed as a slight. But did he realize that? How could he not? "I am Farseer Baharsan of Craftworld Yme-Loc."
Scoffing at the Farseer, the King stepped closer to me, and asked, "What is it that you seek? I understand that it is crop seeds and plants, but what specifically and in what quantities to have brought such a transport?"
Nodding, I replied, "I am afraid I could not give you the solid figures, but my Senechal here," I directed his attention to a wide eyed Ooyodo, "Has it all and knows what we are willing to trade. If you would follow Reu over there," I mentioned to aforementioned Wraithguard, "He will lead you all to a meeting room were you can go over it at your leisure, along with refreshments."
Nodding, he looked to Reu and asked, "A Wraithguard? I was under the impression they were, disconnected from our world?"
Instead of replying, I let Reu do it himself. "True. However, I have always been more in focus than others. This body and the human Seer Council also aid greatly in my… awareness."
"Ha! Good for you." The King jovially declared, then nodded. "Lead the way, but I would wish for a tour of this vessel before I leave."
Nodding, I gave him a smile, even as Reu started off, "Of course."
Unlike their King, the knights were far more… wary of everyone. But it was their job to protect him so it was understandable.
As he left, I looked to the Farseer, "This way if you would be so kind."
I could feel the annoyance from the Yme-Loc Farseer, but he gave me a decisive nod. I wasn't taking him as far as the Exodite King, who was being taken up to my Lounge, instead I had a fair sized room cleared out only a little ways from the Hanger.
As we entered, I could feel the Farseer's attention turn fully onto the Hammer sitting on the sole table. His guards, a pair of Dire Avengers took positions flanking the door.
"I've been calling it the 'Hammer of Vaul' and I'm not sure about what it's for, or if an aspect warrior even uses it. What I do know is that there is a fragment of Divinity within it. A piece of Vaul." I explained as I walked over to it. "Honestly I would have missed it, if not for the piece of the Human god I'm playing host to."
Slowly walking over, Farseer Baharsan nodded, "I had wondered if you knew about that. But a Fragment of Vaul? That is… it could change many things… the possibilities."
Rolling my eyes, I replied, "Oh, yeah, sure. Just as many possibilities as are opened up by making an alliance with humanity. Think about it… no, you wouldn't care, would you."
Picking up the hammer, Baharsan started looking it over, "There is… possibility in what you say. But I doubt many of our brethren would agree. Still, I will speak with the Seer Council of Yme-Loc about the possibility. If nothing else, it would give us another tool for the task of crafting our future."
"Sure." I drawled before going serious, "Now, I do have something I want from Yme-Loc, and considering the relic I'm giving you it is hardly an onerous price."
Looking up from the hammer, the Farseer scrutinized me before chuckling. "Path of Damnation they claim, yet you have hardly fallen Seer."
Smirking, I held up my hand and used the micro-hololiths worked into the hand and gauntlet to project the Salvation-Class. I wasn't prepared to show them my better version. "I want to tap Yme-Loc for at least one skilled Shipwright, and the manpower to build her bones."
Leaning in, the Farseer examined the schema, even as I split it into three. The skeleton, an internal view, and the finished product. "A Mon-Keigh vessel? And why just the bones?"
"Because, it will cut down the time it takes to build the vessel by a decade or two." I shot back, there was no reason to tell him of the human Bonesingers to come.
"Decades? Truly? A vessel that size would take us maybe a single decade to build." The Farseer asked indignantly, but I couldn't help but smirk in reply.
"I'm convinced that half the century, minimum, it takes them to build a Battleship is just Tech-Priests holding long pointless religious rituals." I was serious too, I mean… damn, a century?
"Foolish children!" Baharsan cursed, but nodded. "I will admit that it is indeed a fair price. When and where do you wish for it to be crafted?"
Letting the Holo shut off, I shrugged. "I'm not yet sure. I have to get a few things nailed down, see how my trip to the Sol system goes. Yme-Loc is free to use me as a foot-in-the-door if they wish to open negotiations with the Imperium."
Frowning at me, not that I could see it through his mask, Baharsan muttered, "Not as the future I saw, why?" Then he replied, "I will be sure to relay your offer."
Nodding, I looked at the hammer, then at the Farseer and smirked. "Off you go then, I have work to do, and so do you."
The less said about his indignant response or his guards snickering the better.
Leaving them to it for now, I headed into my quarters, just off from the Common Room.
The Armor was meant to impress the Farseer, to make them take me seriously. With him gone, I could change into something more casual… except I was in the presence of royalty. So, instead of the Duty uniform I usually wear, I pulled out a dress. Now, the human dress was god's awful, and was left were it hung, instead I pulled out a far, far more traditional dress.
The dress was purest white and clear enough that you could make out the suggestion of lines through it. The clasps and belt were wrought in gold and… yeah. This was the traditional dress for an unbonded noble seeking to speak with someone of greater status. Such as say… a King.
Then I took the time to do up my hair, and to apply only the lightest of makeup… then jewelry. With all that done, I exited my quarters and immediately felt the eyes of the knights upon me, their curiosity filled with just a hint of lust.
My response to this was to direct my contempt towards them. Not enough to cripple them, I was a Seer after all, but enough for them to get the point that I didn't need weapons or armor to rend them down into dust.
Ooyodo and King Alriel paused in their conversation, turning to watch my approach.
Stopping ten paces from Alriel, I bowed. "High Lord, I beg your pardon for earlier, but I was not willing to compromise my position with Yme-Loc."
With a dip of his head, the King replied, "It is no great trouble. The fact you know of such old traditions, let alone follow them speaks good of you. Come, we have been talking circles around each other for far too long." He meant himself and Ooyodo, it was easy to see. She apparently did not wish to concede to some demand without consulting me.
Raising from my bow, I walked over and stood at the window with them. "As you say. What is the problem?" Fekking proper pronunciations, I really do hate the whole fancy noble thing. Makes me glad no one but the Exodite Worlds really care, and even then they don't care over much.
"Ma'am. King Alriel is only willing to allow us to take enough soil for this Arboretum, we will have to go elsewhere for the Rod of Flowers, let alone the other ships." Ooyodo explained, frustration leaking into her voice.
Thinking it over, I nodded. "I can see his reasoning. Lord Alriel, do your people know of any nearby planets that would be suitable?"
Grinning, he nodded. "Yes, we keep tabs on the systems within a weeks travel from here. Less we fall prey to a Void Kraken. I would be more than happy to direct you to one of the habitable ones."
Giving a single nod of understanding, I looked out at the empty arbor. "My thanks. Have you and Ooyodo come to an agreement on cost?"
"Ha! Yes, it's free. Though I would still like to claim the weapons and armor you had on display in the hanger." The King replied… and wow, I had actually expected them to say no. So… what was the catch? "As you know, we Exodites prefer to live simple lives without aid of technology. Unfortunately this region demands that we maintain at least some. Out fleet for example. Or the defensive satellites you doubtlessly knew of. This has… caused more than a little trouble over the Millennia. Every generation, there are those who wish to take to the stars, to explore this hostile galaxy of ours."
Nodding, I held in a sigh. "You were among them."
"Ah… yes, but my curiosity was tempered by my duty." He acknowledged. "However, I would like to offer at least some the chance to do what we could not allow."
Nodding, I thought it over, and replied, "I see no reason to deny them, but they will pull their weight."
"Of course!" He agreed readily, "Now, about those arms and armor. We recently, well, about a century ago, had to deal with a bout of human pirates in the region. One of the things we took from them was a Light Cruiser, hardly of use to us, but I expect you could make use of it. But the other. It is a small shipyard, again no use to use, but to you?"
Oh ho!
Frowning slightly, I made a show of thinking it over. "Well, I could use both, but I would like to leave the shipyard under your watch for the time being as I do not have a place to put it. I would be more than willing to take the time to repair your armor and take a look at your fleet?"
He seemed to ponder that for a time, then asked, "That armor you wore, it was of your own crafting?"
"But of course." I acknowledged.
"Then we are agreed, I will have the ship towed to the edge of the system so that you may pick it up as you leave." It was a good deal to be honest, and as I led him through the halls I got more than a few glances. King Alriel found the ship fascinating, and with humans who were actually willing to speak to him and explain some of how it all worked I could tell this would be a treasured memory.
The work of filling the Arbor proved to also be the work of digging a canal. I think it was good for the ratings who were put on that job as they did not work on it alone. We had lifters and a few dirt movers, but they had manpower. Two thousand human ratings down there working, and two Eldar working just as hard for every one of them. We, myself and the King, also allowed for a small bazaar to trade some simple things.
As for the Eldar who wanted to see the stars, only about thirty actually wanted to travel on my ships. Ten on the Vivian, and twenty wished to tend the gardens and farms of the Rod of Flowers. Of the ten that came to the Vivian, one petitioned to learn from the Mechanicus, two took to my Librarium with only a minor argument with Balis. The rest made themselves the tenders of my Arbor and Hydroponics bays.
"I know right, you could almost see…" Another put in, making Marcus grimace. Yes, that dress. Emperor's Tears, that dress! It was causing him so many problems! Just as many as the work moving dirt and planting trees was solving!
To be fair, she had been, to his knowledge, following tradition, which, fair, but fek!
"Hey! Be careful, remember, she's a Psyker. And a Xeno." Someone with a little more sense put in, then they ruined the high opinion he had of them. "But yeah! Would definitely tap that if you know what I mean."
"Did you hear? One of the Ensign is selling Picts of her." And there it was, what he had been down here listening for.
"Emperor! You're serious?" The first asked incredulously.
"Yeah, Vagan. He's got paper copies and if you're willing to pay a bit more he has a Holo of her too!" Finally.
Marcus gave it a moments thought, that is, doing something about the men around the corner, but then word might get back to this Ensign.
Leaving the Lowers to there idiocy, Marcus made his way up to the officer decks, stopping to refill his cup along the way. Then began the search for a certain Ensign.
My question seemed to fall on deaf ears for a time, but finally the Bridges Tech-Priest spoke. "I believe that is the so called Arrogant-Class. A simple enough design from what records say, it is comparable to the Dauntless."
That… well, damn. That was something! "Looks like it's going to need Yard time, but will we need to tow it back or… no. Right, send a party over to check the Gellar Field generator and Genetorum."
Grinning, I headed down to the Hanger, stopping to get my damn armor because it was an abandoned ship. Sure, but I had my guards try to kill me once, I wasn't taking chances again.
As it turns out though, it was unneeded. While the drives were offline, the Genetorum worked and the Gellar Field generator only needed a patch job. As for getting it back to the Yard, the Vivian towed it through the Warp while DesRon Annwn escorted the Rod of Flowers to the planet that the nice Eldar man had given us directions to!
Along with directions of their own to test the soil extensively and insure it didn't have any kind of contagions. That was the last thing we needed.
Something that interested him. This Arrogant-Class was, based on survey reports, not as well armored as the Dauntless-Class, but it had better defensive turrets. It was a good stand in for it. Fascinating! Simple design, easy to build, and interestingly needed less crew. It even seemed like it would have better acceleration too?
Truly fascinating! The Lady Fairdwin was even noted as giving permission for the Mechanicus to examine the ship so long as it would be 'Fighting Fit' by the time the Light was ready to begin it's long journey.
With the time that gave them they should be able to reverse engineer the ships design seeing as it wasn't Archeotech.
Then you had her little 'DesRon' groupings. It was a surprisingly effective, from the look of it. And then you had the ships that were being pulled out. Two more Jericho's made it into the Ladies fleet, and the shear number of that class of Transport here was impressive. That isn't to say there weren't other ships.
A few Xeno Battleships, and other classed, another cruiser in there and the number of escorts. It was impressive, but they were starting to get through the field. Even if most of the ships pulled out so far were still in need of repair.
What interested him was the actions of the Captain of the Iron Blood, the so called Zigg. He had been wheeling and dealing with the various salvage teams not an hour after his Lord-Captain had left. Managing to get four Tempest-Class Frigates in exchange for several pieces of Archeotech.
It was a pity, Xerci had to admit, that he was unable to follow through with his wishes. There was just too much infighting among the Mechanicus back in the Imperium proper, for now at least. But at least it appeared it wasn't as needed as he had feared… hmm, that had potential.
They had the needed industry for it here, perhaps he could talk his brethren into… no, he would just do it and see how things fell. Kronos was overdue for a Forge World anyways. But first he had a salvage operation to finish.
None of the tomes he had covered it, and he had read them all, then scanned them all into a Data Vault. It was just maddening! Sure in the long run it was a minor thing, but in the here and now it was frustrating.
On another note though, he had managed to do it!
He had managed to create a stabilized plasma matrix! Oh, um… Looking over his notes, he sighed and looked at the large contraption he had built. The Plasma Matrix created a controlled field that generated and shaped plasma from raw energy and made it surprisingly solid. The best part was that the field would protect the wielder and when the blade was shut off it would harmlessly disperse the plasma.
The hard part would be taking the test type and building a prototype from it. But if he could fashion one that could be used as a sword… well, the possibilities were… fascinating.
Interestingly though, their had been a throw away comment about the blade possibly being able to deflect plasma bolts. When he tested it, he found that not only could do just that, but against all logic it could also deflect Las fire. Regrettably, he found it could not deflect stubber and more regrettably Bolter fire. He lost his best mug to that experiment!
Upon further investigation he found that the containment field interacted with energy in a fascinating manner. A potentially weaponizable manner, but for now he had the blades to try and make. Then there was the Power Armor that Lady Fairdwin had given him the schema to.
Not as good as the Astraties armors, but far better than the Sororitas armor. It was fascinating stuff and was leading him to whole redesigns of other things!
Finally there was the special projects he had been given!
Deployable cover, easy. Collapsible assault shields? Also easy. Throwing knives with Auspex bundles in them? A challenge but doable. But the little deployable Las-Turret?
Small, easy to carry, and with a tripod that could clamp on almost anywhere? Not so easy. The fact it needed to be automated and run by a new dedicated VI made it… near heritekal.
Best of all, if he could get everything finished to the Lady Fairdwin's acceptance, she had data on Necron technology for him to look through!
There was one final project. A side project for the time being, but… Project Jaeger.
As for the Mechanicus and their interest in the ship, they declared that they had uncovered the mysteries of its creation. I took this to mean they now knew how to make them.
As for other ships, Ziggarance managed to barter out four Tempests-Class and another two Sword-Class Frigates! I mean, get a load of this guy! Not that I was angry with him, but fek! So much for the careful budgeting I had been doing to plan for the future. Poor Ooyodo.
But, back to my military ships, I had organized two half strength DesRons, Pride and Humble. Three Tempest-Classes in Pride, those being Johnston, Hoel, and Heermann. While Humble had one Tempest-Class, the Ionna, and two Sword-Classes, the Limiting Factor and Samuel B.
These two DesRons were then folded into Task Force Gladius, while DesRon Angel, those being my Havoc-Class, The Angel's Share, and all four Shrikes, Uninvited guest, Unwitting Accomplice, Problem Child, and Honest Mistake. Where paired with the Iron Blood and the Pioneer to form Task Force Aiges.
Finally, DesRon Annwn, that being my first Tempest-Class, Annwn, and my four Cobra-Classes, the Blessed Acquisition, Screw Loose, Furious Purpose, and Light Gravitas. Was attached to the Vivian. It was not the best fleet comp, and it would probably be shuffled around before we even reached Port Wander, but we still have a month or three until the Light of Terra was mobile.
In fact… as I sat there, looking it all over, I frowned. This wouldn't do. The Escorts for the Vivian were too light. Raiders? No, those should go to Task Force Gladius. And… Fek it!
Getting up, I headed for the bridge, I might as well talk with Hardy or Roth. Whichever was on duty right now.
Something moved. Not out in the black, but in her. Something moved, and moved with a purpose. Hands and torches, and biting tools… was this the breaker? The true end of her?
But they did not take her to pieces. No, they were stripping her down. Down to the bone.
Then they bit into her bones, removing the malignant and the weak, but these were quickly replaced with new forged strength.
Slowly, she could feel herself being pulled back together. New parts, but the same purpose… however she could not suffer such lack of standards. With all her might, she fought against the darkness, reaching out and whispering into the ears of the little bees that worked at her. Imperfection here, fix it. That won't last, get something better.
Then the star at her heart sparked to like.
The black void peeled back and she could see herself and all within. She was not in control, but she was able to watch, to listen, to give some measure of aid.
The Xenos? There was an Aeldari here? Two? But besides a few dissidents… the crew listened to her, liked her even? What was a Lord-Captain? Ah, she commanded a fleet. An Admiral. The Aeldari was her Admiral.
Then the world around her took shape… blurry, but there. Ships, hundreds of them. The wreckage of a great graveyard and… a salvage fleet! So many of the lost would be saved.
Content in this, she let herself slowly slip back into a light doze. There was no fighting to be done, no patrol to remain vigilant for… just holding place.
Then she felt it… something new.
Rousing from her doze, she looked upon her crew and boggled. One of them was… what, linking with her? But it was not the simple way that the odd Engineers did. Not connecting to her core Cogitator, even if that was part of it. But…
She could feel one of her crew. Feel their body, their soul… so young and tiny. Reaching out, she cradled the mortal close.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Warmth enveloped Kiki, she could feel something holding her, embracing her… but she could feel the ship. Augurs were her eyes, engines her legs… she was one with the ship. It was… amazing."Synchronization Achieved, holding steady at one hundred percent." Blamer stated and…
Taking a breath, Kiki spoke, or went to, then had to make sure she was only using the Vox channel they had been using! So cool! "I'm ready for transition."
She watched as Captain Hardy and Admiral Fairdwin quickly discussed something, then checked a few readouts. Then the Captain replied. "I'm told you have control of helm. The Lord-Captain wishes to see how well you can handle the ship. We're setting a group of waypoint, take us to them at military flank. In order if you please."
Grinning, Kiki flexed her legs and the controls under her hands. Controls she had been told were solely there as props to aid her control but she could feel herself respond to the slightest touch. "Sir, yes, sir. Moving to waypoint one, Military Flank."
As the engines roared into life and the ship slowly climbed up to combat speeds Vivian grinned. It was good to get underway. Kiki couldn't wait to see what it would be like to Navigate the Warp like this.
As she reached the final waypoint Hardy nodded and spoke, "Alright Kiki, everything checks out and we have the needed data. Take us to Jump point Alpha."
Here it was!
Turning, she brought herself into alignment, and… checked the plotted route. It was short, a simple test jump. Hardly worth bothering, and not something a Navigator was needed for. But that was the point of test jumps.
At her command Vivian's Warp shutters fell into place, the bridge's links to the cameras shut down. Then she opened it, the gate into the Warp. A portal into the realm of souls.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was always like this… except… something was different this time.She soared over the land, riding a primitive broom. She had never understood why a broom, or even how. But this was the Warp, reason was banned.
Behind her the form of a woman in an old dress hung, and at the end of the broom was a package. She knew she needed to deliver it. Sometimes there were storms, great winds she had to fight against, but today it was a clear purple sky.
The flight didn't take long and she was soon circling around to land and deliver her package. Just another day for Kiki's Delivery Service.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The tests had gone well, great even, High Enginseer Balmer was already likening it to the Princeps system used in Titans. As the rest of the small fleet left the Warp around us, I pondered what to do next. I mean, I had a few short term goals, and was going to have to help manage a convoy to Sol.With that in mind, I nodded. We needed to go to a planet that was known as safe meaning- Pausing, I frowned, then sighed. Of course it would be now that they got back to me.
-Honored Exile, I am Seer Carwyn of Craftworld Yme-Loc. We received your message, and ask where you would wish to meet.-
This Carwyn sounded a bit young, but… Focusing my mind and power, I traced back the path of her message… cute. A frigate was out there… not too far off by stellar standards. But… -We are headed to Anaris-Sistau where I plan to collect plants and soil to furnish my Arboretums.-
-Farseer Baharsan agrees and will meet you there.-
I didn't bother replying, it would be pointless, they were gone.
"- Ma'am? Ma'am?"
Turning my focus back to the world around me, I hummed. "Sorry, I was… dealing with something."
The Ensign hesitated for a moment then spoke. "We are ready to head to the coordinates you gave us, Ma'am."
Sighing, I nodded. "Alright, make sure everyone knows that this is an Eldar held world. We are guests."
The human looked reluctant but nodded. "As you say."
With a quiet huff, turned and headed for my Quarters. I had much to do and only three days to do it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reu slowly flexed and moved this new Wraith Body. The Craftworlders had not tried to innovate in many areas, and this was one that stood out starkly. This body was not slender and artful. That was not the way of Farseer Fairdwin.Instead it was designed along the same lines as her Power Armor. Solid, utilitarian with only minor concessions to visual appeal. The 'Auspex' built into the armor and what she had called a Star-soul Engine that powered them and so much more brought the material realm into focus in a far more practical way than what Seers could do. It was still a challenge to not drift off mentally, but in combat he could track and react to opponents far more reliably.
His axe had been paired with a directional energy shield he could project from his left arm, interestingly being able to expand it to protect a formation at the cost of some of its strength, or simply to guard himself.
That alone would have been useful, a forceshield is always welcome wargear, but the Wraith body also had Maneuvering thrusters for Zero-Gravity and more interestingly, they could be overcharged to allow for a straight rush without damaging them when in a gravity well.
But there was more.
Hardly long range, but integrated into his right arm was a Stutter-Las for when he needed to keep things at range.
It was a good body, and while it could be better, it would do for now… after all, he could be alive.
Reaching into the pouch on his waist, he pulled forth the three soulstones within. The eldest and wisest of those in his care.
-The Farseer has proven true. She will be speaking with Yme-Loc soon. But I fear that we will hardly be welcome among their dead.-
He felt the spirits stir at his words, Seers waking from their rest. -Two paths lay before us. We join with the Yme-Loc, or we join with Ulthwe.-
-Yet, in these two choices their lays yet one more.-
-We will go with neither, and remain here. The Farseer walks a path shrouded from view. Our lot, for good or ill must be a path yet unseen.-
With a sigh, or as close to it as a soul could get, Reu put the stones back into the pouch. They would not become Wraithguard, none of these souls would. Pride. They refused to give up their rest for more than to give advice.
Picking up his axe, Reu headed out to find the Farseer. Well, he would have, except the door opened and she walked in. -Reu. Yme-Loc has agreed to meet with me in a few days.-
-Understood. We will not be going with them.- Reu replied calmly.
There was a moment of silence then the Farseer asked, -Come again?-
-We dead wish to remain in your care.- Reu explained unhelpfully. There was more, but that would come in time. For now, the crows had to be avoided.
-Alright. Great, now I have to go make a Soulwell.- The Farseer took on a thoughtful countenance, but Reu couldn't help but wonder. What was a Soulwell?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We came out of the Warp to find the system seemingly empty. It was not a great surprise to me, the Eldar of Craftworld Yme-Loc would watch us for a time. Try to determine if this was a trap or not… probably.The Maiden World Anaris-Sistau was a beautiful place, but the system was home to more than a few hidden defense turrets and oddly for Exodites, a small defence fleet. Mostly just Shadowhunter-Class escorts, but they had a Shadow-Class Cruiser.
Frowning, I looked over the system readouts even as a small fleet of Shadowhunters vectored towards us. The turrets were well hidden, barely appearing as a ghost on the Augurs… but the planet looked right.
Straightening out my shirt, I sighed and commanded, "Vox open transmission."
I waited a beat then spoke. "This is Seer Jaeda Fairdwin, we come in peace." -Please respond.-
It was a long wait as the transmission passed, and would have gone much faster if I had just done this all psychically but this was for the human's benefit.
"I am Kaltov Mythric, Sky Prince of Maiden World Anaris-Sistau. What purpose brings you here." -And why must we do this in such a slow manner?- Notably, that last part wasn't telepathy, but actually his body language.
That was… odd. I mean, Exodites didn't have navies, they didn't use technologies… not unless… unless there was a threat that wouldn't simply pass them by. "I am to meet a group from Yme-Loc here, but have come to trade for crop seeds and plants to fill my Arboretums."
Instead of another reply, we received a message with a set of coordinates and a heading. Which was good all things considered.
Looking at, what I would assume was the message, Hardy spoke. "Helm, bring us in on this heading and don't get spooked by anything. No offence to the Lord-Captain, but these are fekking Eldar."
I let out an audible snort of amusement because while it was amusing, it was more to let the crew know I wasn't getting worked up over it.
The journey in system, to the planet ended up taking ten days and left me a little annoyed, it would have been three if we hadn't been force to go a roundabout way. During that time I had sung out a Basic Soulwell, and for those of you who aren't Aeldari; A Soulwell is something like a scaled down Infinity Circuit, this one was vaguely coffin shaped. Reu found it fascinating and more so when the Waystones were integrated into it.
Still, as we pulled into orbit around the Maiden World, I lamented my lack of Warp Plotter. Or, to say it another way, Eldar Warp Drive. Ours are far more refined and so don't leave us quite so far out. The ability to account for a stars gravity waves makes a huge difference in travel time.
As we had been headed in, the Yme-Loc… delegation? Fleet? Feh, fleet, arrived and quickly pulled into orbit.
Now, standing in the hanger, all the Eldar shinies I had collected gathered up, I waited for two shuttles to arrive. The first was Yme-Loc with Farseer Baharsan on it. The second was from the Exodite world with their King onboard.
Fun…
The Yme-Loc arrived first and disembarked, the Farseer followed by a squad of Dire Avengers. Notable was the fact they froze up for a moment as they spotted me.
I wasn't wearing the helmet right now, but I was in my Power Armor. I had a Short Sword style Witchblade sheathed at the small of my back, a Bolt Pistol of the new design I had asked Oak to look into. He had liked it and declared it a 'Heavy Bolt Pistol', and with the down scaled ammo it was able to hold fifteen rounds.
Around me, my 'Retinue' stood. Shepard and Marcus, a squad of fully combat kitted Troopers conspicuously hanging around the Hangar. Reu, the Wyrdvanes surrounding him. They had actually surprised me. It hadn't been easy but they had managed to pull themselves out of their mental traumas with much help and effort. Now they were a family. Amelia stood near Valera who was in her armor, Flamer resting on a strap. Arashi, in her armor and with Mayhem, was hovering at the edges of Shepard's sphere of influence in a way that blatantly told me of her interest in him, whether it was sexual or something else was anyone's guess. Finally, to everyone's surprise was Ooyodo; in full dress uniform with the void sealed undersuit replaced at request for a Wraithbone one that was armored. At her side she carried the saber and the Las-Pistol I had previously seen her with… I really should get her a non-armor based Oracle system. Then you had Hardy, Roth, and Tobius. The first two in dress uniforms and the last in the robes of the Astropathic Choir.
Dipping my head slightly, I called out, "Farseer, be welcome aboard the Vivian."
"My thanks, Lady Fairdwin. You have an impressive coterie." He replied, but his body language was very blatantly curious about my armor.
To be fair, it had taken on a more Eldar aesthetic, not quite losing the sharp angles, but they were obviously smoothed into a more streamline design. I was still in the process of balancing out protection with mobility.
Why no it isn't Eldar in origin. I replied in kind, if a bit sharply. While verbally I replied, "They are all good people and I believe I can trust them with my life. Shall-"
I was cut off by the arrival of the other shuttle, and from it stepped out a massive Eldar wearing ancient and battle scarred Dire Avenger armor, bone talismans adorning it. It was… no… yeah, based upon the design it was from shortly after the War in Heaven. Fascinating.
Along with him stroad a group of knights. All in armor of Wraithbone, if of more recent origin. They also all carried great blades upon their backs.
Stopping an equal distance from the Farseer and myself he slammed his fist into his chest and declared in Low Gothic surprisingly. "Hail! I am King Alriel."
Visibly bowing to him, I spoke matching the language he chose, "I am Lord-Captain Lady Jaeda Fairdwin, Rogue Trader of the Imperium of Man, and Exiled Seer from the Craftworld of Kinshara."
As I finished and rose back up, the Farseer spoke in turn, utilizing our language instead of the one the King had used. Rude, and easily viewed as a slight. But did he realize that? How could he not? "I am Farseer Baharsan of Craftworld Yme-Loc."
Scoffing at the Farseer, the King stepped closer to me, and asked, "What is it that you seek? I understand that it is crop seeds and plants, but what specifically and in what quantities to have brought such a transport?"
Nodding, I replied, "I am afraid I could not give you the solid figures, but my Senechal here," I directed his attention to a wide eyed Ooyodo, "Has it all and knows what we are willing to trade. If you would follow Reu over there," I mentioned to aforementioned Wraithguard, "He will lead you all to a meeting room were you can go over it at your leisure, along with refreshments."
Nodding, he looked to Reu and asked, "A Wraithguard? I was under the impression they were, disconnected from our world?"
Instead of replying, I let Reu do it himself. "True. However, I have always been more in focus than others. This body and the human Seer Council also aid greatly in my… awareness."
"Ha! Good for you." The King jovially declared, then nodded. "Lead the way, but I would wish for a tour of this vessel before I leave."
Nodding, I gave him a smile, even as Reu started off, "Of course."
Unlike their King, the knights were far more… wary of everyone. But it was their job to protect him so it was understandable.
As he left, I looked to the Farseer, "This way if you would be so kind."
I could feel the annoyance from the Yme-Loc Farseer, but he gave me a decisive nod. I wasn't taking him as far as the Exodite King, who was being taken up to my Lounge, instead I had a fair sized room cleared out only a little ways from the Hanger.
As we entered, I could feel the Farseer's attention turn fully onto the Hammer sitting on the sole table. His guards, a pair of Dire Avengers took positions flanking the door.
"I've been calling it the 'Hammer of Vaul' and I'm not sure about what it's for, or if an aspect warrior even uses it. What I do know is that there is a fragment of Divinity within it. A piece of Vaul." I explained as I walked over to it. "Honestly I would have missed it, if not for the piece of the Human god I'm playing host to."
Slowly walking over, Farseer Baharsan nodded, "I had wondered if you knew about that. But a Fragment of Vaul? That is… it could change many things… the possibilities."
Rolling my eyes, I replied, "Oh, yeah, sure. Just as many possibilities as are opened up by making an alliance with humanity. Think about it… no, you wouldn't care, would you."
Picking up the hammer, Baharsan started looking it over, "There is… possibility in what you say. But I doubt many of our brethren would agree. Still, I will speak with the Seer Council of Yme-Loc about the possibility. If nothing else, it would give us another tool for the task of crafting our future."
"Sure." I drawled before going serious, "Now, I do have something I want from Yme-Loc, and considering the relic I'm giving you it is hardly an onerous price."
Looking up from the hammer, the Farseer scrutinized me before chuckling. "Path of Damnation they claim, yet you have hardly fallen Seer."
Smirking, I held up my hand and used the micro-hololiths worked into the hand and gauntlet to project the Salvation-Class. I wasn't prepared to show them my better version. "I want to tap Yme-Loc for at least one skilled Shipwright, and the manpower to build her bones."
Leaning in, the Farseer examined the schema, even as I split it into three. The skeleton, an internal view, and the finished product. "A Mon-Keigh vessel? And why just the bones?"
"Because, it will cut down the time it takes to build the vessel by a decade or two." I shot back, there was no reason to tell him of the human Bonesingers to come.
"Decades? Truly? A vessel that size would take us maybe a single decade to build." The Farseer asked indignantly, but I couldn't help but smirk in reply.
"I'm convinced that half the century, minimum, it takes them to build a Battleship is just Tech-Priests holding long pointless religious rituals." I was serious too, I mean… damn, a century?
"Foolish children!" Baharsan cursed, but nodded. "I will admit that it is indeed a fair price. When and where do you wish for it to be crafted?"
Letting the Holo shut off, I shrugged. "I'm not yet sure. I have to get a few things nailed down, see how my trip to the Sol system goes. Yme-Loc is free to use me as a foot-in-the-door if they wish to open negotiations with the Imperium."
Frowning at me, not that I could see it through his mask, Baharsan muttered, "Not as the future I saw, why?" Then he replied, "I will be sure to relay your offer."
Nodding, I looked at the hammer, then at the Farseer and smirked. "Off you go then, I have work to do, and so do you."
The less said about his indignant response or his guards snickering the better.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Walking into my properly furnished common room, I smiled to see the knights had relaxed and the King speaking with Ooyodo. They were both standing before the great window, looking down on the area that would eventually become a small forest.Leaving them to it for now, I headed into my quarters, just off from the Common Room.
The Armor was meant to impress the Farseer, to make them take me seriously. With him gone, I could change into something more casual… except I was in the presence of royalty. So, instead of the Duty uniform I usually wear, I pulled out a dress. Now, the human dress was god's awful, and was left were it hung, instead I pulled out a far, far more traditional dress.
The dress was purest white and clear enough that you could make out the suggestion of lines through it. The clasps and belt were wrought in gold and… yeah. This was the traditional dress for an unbonded noble seeking to speak with someone of greater status. Such as say… a King.
Then I took the time to do up my hair, and to apply only the lightest of makeup… then jewelry. With all that done, I exited my quarters and immediately felt the eyes of the knights upon me, their curiosity filled with just a hint of lust.
My response to this was to direct my contempt towards them. Not enough to cripple them, I was a Seer after all, but enough for them to get the point that I didn't need weapons or armor to rend them down into dust.
Ooyodo and King Alriel paused in their conversation, turning to watch my approach.
Stopping ten paces from Alriel, I bowed. "High Lord, I beg your pardon for earlier, but I was not willing to compromise my position with Yme-Loc."
With a dip of his head, the King replied, "It is no great trouble. The fact you know of such old traditions, let alone follow them speaks good of you. Come, we have been talking circles around each other for far too long." He meant himself and Ooyodo, it was easy to see. She apparently did not wish to concede to some demand without consulting me.
Raising from my bow, I walked over and stood at the window with them. "As you say. What is the problem?" Fekking proper pronunciations, I really do hate the whole fancy noble thing. Makes me glad no one but the Exodite Worlds really care, and even then they don't care over much.
"Ma'am. King Alriel is only willing to allow us to take enough soil for this Arboretum, we will have to go elsewhere for the Rod of Flowers, let alone the other ships." Ooyodo explained, frustration leaking into her voice.
Thinking it over, I nodded. "I can see his reasoning. Lord Alriel, do your people know of any nearby planets that would be suitable?"
Grinning, he nodded. "Yes, we keep tabs on the systems within a weeks travel from here. Less we fall prey to a Void Kraken. I would be more than happy to direct you to one of the habitable ones."
Giving a single nod of understanding, I looked out at the empty arbor. "My thanks. Have you and Ooyodo come to an agreement on cost?"
"Ha! Yes, it's free. Though I would still like to claim the weapons and armor you had on display in the hanger." The King replied… and wow, I had actually expected them to say no. So… what was the catch? "As you know, we Exodites prefer to live simple lives without aid of technology. Unfortunately this region demands that we maintain at least some. Out fleet for example. Or the defensive satellites you doubtlessly knew of. This has… caused more than a little trouble over the Millennia. Every generation, there are those who wish to take to the stars, to explore this hostile galaxy of ours."
Nodding, I held in a sigh. "You were among them."
"Ah… yes, but my curiosity was tempered by my duty." He acknowledged. "However, I would like to offer at least some the chance to do what we could not allow."
Nodding, I thought it over, and replied, "I see no reason to deny them, but they will pull their weight."
"Of course!" He agreed readily, "Now, about those arms and armor. We recently, well, about a century ago, had to deal with a bout of human pirates in the region. One of the things we took from them was a Light Cruiser, hardly of use to us, but I expect you could make use of it. But the other. It is a small shipyard, again no use to use, but to you?"
Oh ho!
Frowning slightly, I made a show of thinking it over. "Well, I could use both, but I would like to leave the shipyard under your watch for the time being as I do not have a place to put it. I would be more than willing to take the time to repair your armor and take a look at your fleet?"
He seemed to ponder that for a time, then asked, "That armor you wore, it was of your own crafting?"
"But of course." I acknowledged.
"Then we are agreed, I will have the ship towed to the edge of the system so that you may pick it up as you leave." It was a good deal to be honest, and as I led him through the halls I got more than a few glances. King Alriel found the ship fascinating, and with humans who were actually willing to speak to him and explain some of how it all worked I could tell this would be a treasured memory.
The work of filling the Arbor proved to also be the work of digging a canal. I think it was good for the ratings who were put on that job as they did not work on it alone. We had lifters and a few dirt movers, but they had manpower. Two thousand human ratings down there working, and two Eldar working just as hard for every one of them. We, myself and the King, also allowed for a small bazaar to trade some simple things.
As for the Eldar who wanted to see the stars, only about thirty actually wanted to travel on my ships. Ten on the Vivian, and twenty wished to tend the gardens and farms of the Rod of Flowers. Of the ten that came to the Vivian, one petitioned to learn from the Mechanicus, two took to my Librarium with only a minor argument with Balis. The rest made themselves the tenders of my Arbor and Hydroponics bays.
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Marcus brought his cup of caff to his lips as he stood there, listening to a group of Lowers gossip around the corner. "Did you see her! I mean, Emperor but damn! We all knew the Lord-Captain was scary, being a psyker and all, but that dress!""I know right, you could almost see…" Another put in, making Marcus grimace. Yes, that dress. Emperor's Tears, that dress! It was causing him so many problems! Just as many as the work moving dirt and planting trees was solving!
To be fair, she had been, to his knowledge, following tradition, which, fair, but fek!
"Hey! Be careful, remember, she's a Psyker. And a Xeno." Someone with a little more sense put in, then they ruined the high opinion he had of them. "But yeah! Would definitely tap that if you know what I mean."
"Did you hear? One of the Ensign is selling Picts of her." And there it was, what he had been down here listening for.
"Emperor! You're serious?" The first asked incredulously.
"Yeah, Vagan. He's got paper copies and if you're willing to pay a bit more he has a Holo of her too!" Finally.
Marcus gave it a moments thought, that is, doing something about the men around the corner, but then word might get back to this Ensign.
Leaving the Lowers to there idiocy, Marcus made his way up to the officer decks, stopping to refill his cup along the way. Then began the search for a certain Ensign.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When we reached the edge of the system, the Light Cruiser that we found waiting for us was… "Does anyone know what kind of Light Cruiser that is?"My question seemed to fall on deaf ears for a time, but finally the Bridges Tech-Priest spoke. "I believe that is the so called Arrogant-Class. A simple enough design from what records say, it is comparable to the Dauntless."
That… well, damn. That was something! "Looks like it's going to need Yard time, but will we need to tow it back or… no. Right, send a party over to check the Gellar Field generator and Genetorum."
Grinning, I headed down to the Hanger, stopping to get my damn armor because it was an abandoned ship. Sure, but I had my guards try to kill me once, I wasn't taking chances again.
As it turns out though, it was unneeded. While the drives were offline, the Genetorum worked and the Gellar Field generator only needed a patch job. As for getting it back to the Yard, the Vivian towed it through the Warp while DesRon Annwn escorted the Rod of Flowers to the planet that the nice Eldar man had given us directions to!
Along with directions of their own to test the soil extensively and insure it didn't have any kind of contagions. That was the last thing we needed.
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Arch-Magos Xerci frowned as he looked over the the most recent report. A report from the Vivian, just returned. The Light Cruiser which was even now being ushered into Mobile Shipyard 22B's drydock wasn't in the best shape. It would take a couple of months to put it to right.Something that interested him. This Arrogant-Class was, based on survey reports, not as well armored as the Dauntless-Class, but it had better defensive turrets. It was a good stand in for it. Fascinating! Simple design, easy to build, and interestingly needed less crew. It even seemed like it would have better acceleration too?
Truly fascinating! The Lady Fairdwin was even noted as giving permission for the Mechanicus to examine the ship so long as it would be 'Fighting Fit' by the time the Light was ready to begin it's long journey.
With the time that gave them they should be able to reverse engineer the ships design seeing as it wasn't Archeotech.
Then you had her little 'DesRon' groupings. It was a surprisingly effective, from the look of it. And then you had the ships that were being pulled out. Two more Jericho's made it into the Ladies fleet, and the shear number of that class of Transport here was impressive. That isn't to say there weren't other ships.
A few Xeno Battleships, and other classed, another cruiser in there and the number of escorts. It was impressive, but they were starting to get through the field. Even if most of the ships pulled out so far were still in need of repair.
What interested him was the actions of the Captain of the Iron Blood, the so called Zigg. He had been wheeling and dealing with the various salvage teams not an hour after his Lord-Captain had left. Managing to get four Tempest-Class Frigates in exchange for several pieces of Archeotech.
It was a pity, Xerci had to admit, that he was unable to follow through with his wishes. There was just too much infighting among the Mechanicus back in the Imperium proper, for now at least. But at least it appeared it wasn't as needed as he had feared… hmm, that had potential.
They had the needed industry for it here, perhaps he could talk his brethren into… no, he would just do it and see how things fell. Kronos was overdue for a Forge World anyways. But first he had a salvage operation to finish.
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Oak was grinning like a madman when the Cogitator booted up and functioned as intended! It was a bit of a pain to learn the new lexicon, but with it being completely representative of Low Gothic it allowed for easy overlays. He wasn't quite sure what was making the language hard to learn though.None of the tomes he had covered it, and he had read them all, then scanned them all into a Data Vault. It was just maddening! Sure in the long run it was a minor thing, but in the here and now it was frustrating.
On another note though, he had managed to do it!
He had managed to create a stabilized plasma matrix! Oh, um… Looking over his notes, he sighed and looked at the large contraption he had built. The Plasma Matrix created a controlled field that generated and shaped plasma from raw energy and made it surprisingly solid. The best part was that the field would protect the wielder and when the blade was shut off it would harmlessly disperse the plasma.
The hard part would be taking the test type and building a prototype from it. But if he could fashion one that could be used as a sword… well, the possibilities were… fascinating.
Interestingly though, their had been a throw away comment about the blade possibly being able to deflect plasma bolts. When he tested it, he found that not only could do just that, but against all logic it could also deflect Las fire. Regrettably, he found it could not deflect stubber and more regrettably Bolter fire. He lost his best mug to that experiment!
Upon further investigation he found that the containment field interacted with energy in a fascinating manner. A potentially weaponizable manner, but for now he had the blades to try and make. Then there was the Power Armor that Lady Fairdwin had given him the schema to.
Not as good as the Astraties armors, but far better than the Sororitas armor. It was fascinating stuff and was leading him to whole redesigns of other things!
Finally there was the special projects he had been given!
Deployable cover, easy. Collapsible assault shields? Also easy. Throwing knives with Auspex bundles in them? A challenge but doable. But the little deployable Las-Turret?
Small, easy to carry, and with a tripod that could clamp on almost anywhere? Not so easy. The fact it needed to be automated and run by a new dedicated VI made it… near heritekal.
Best of all, if he could get everything finished to the Lady Fairdwin's acceptance, she had data on Necron technology for him to look through!
There was one final project. A side project for the time being, but… Project Jaeger.
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Everything had fallen into a kind of monotony. The Arrogant-Class Light Cruiser was almost done in the yard, its name being changed from 'The Whisper of Tomorrow' to a more agreeable 'Savannah'.As for the Mechanicus and their interest in the ship, they declared that they had uncovered the mysteries of its creation. I took this to mean they now knew how to make them.
As for other ships, Ziggarance managed to barter out four Tempests-Class and another two Sword-Class Frigates! I mean, get a load of this guy! Not that I was angry with him, but fek! So much for the careful budgeting I had been doing to plan for the future. Poor Ooyodo.
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Ooyodo looked at the supply projections, the very well balanced ones that the Lord-Captain had made, one small thing that had saved her many nights of sleep. Then she looked at the newest reports again and found herself fighting the urge to murder one of the Lord-Captains… Captains. It was a close thing, as it was, the Iron Blood just lost it's supplies of Caff, Recaff, and all other Caff substitutes.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As for what I was going to do with this wealth of ships, not taking into account my two new Jericho Haulers. This brought me up to three dedicated Haulers, the Pilgrim, Zero Gravitas, and Smokey. Two Mining rigs, Glorious Rags and Malta. A Hospital Ship, the Lady Mercy. A Fuel Tanker, the Little Rascal. And, of course, the Rod of Flowers, my Agi-Ship.But, back to my military ships, I had organized two half strength DesRons, Pride and Humble. Three Tempest-Classes in Pride, those being Johnston, Hoel, and Heermann. While Humble had one Tempest-Class, the Ionna, and two Sword-Classes, the Limiting Factor and Samuel B.
These two DesRons were then folded into Task Force Gladius, while DesRon Angel, those being my Havoc-Class, The Angel's Share, and all four Shrikes, Uninvited guest, Unwitting Accomplice, Problem Child, and Honest Mistake. Where paired with the Iron Blood and the Pioneer to form Task Force Aiges.
Finally, DesRon Annwn, that being my first Tempest-Class, Annwn, and my four Cobra-Classes, the Blessed Acquisition, Screw Loose, Furious Purpose, and Light Gravitas. Was attached to the Vivian. It was not the best fleet comp, and it would probably be shuffled around before we even reached Port Wander, but we still have a month or three until the Light of Terra was mobile.
In fact… as I sat there, looking it all over, I frowned. This wouldn't do. The Escorts for the Vivian were too light. Raiders? No, those should go to Task Force Gladius. And… Fek it!
Getting up, I headed for the bridge, I might as well talk with Hardy or Roth. Whichever was on duty right now.
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- Location
- England
She had drifted in eternity for… millennia?
[...]
But besides a few dissidents… the crew listened to her, liked her even?
[...]
This has… caused more than a little trouble over the Millennia. Every generation, there are those who wish to take to the stars, to explore this hostile galaxy of ours."
[...]
The best part was that the field would protect the wielder and when the blade was shut off it would harmlessly disperse the plasma.
[...]
Everything had fallen into a kind of monotony.
[...]
But besides a few dissidents… the crew listened to her, liked her even?
[...]
This has… caused more than a little trouble over the Millennia. Every generation, there are those who wish to take to the stars, to explore this hostile galaxy of ours."
[...]
The best part was that the field would protect the wielder and when the blade was shut off it would harmlessly disperse the plasma.
[...]
Everything had fallen into a kind of monotony.
Snowdrops lift their heads
Spring in Winter. Sun and frost
Darn short-post warning
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