Kesar Reflects on Why He Fights (aka A Calm day on Terra) A Not so Calm Day for Alpharius
Finally Kesar returned to Terra. A world that was peaceful, where his sons did not need to die. A time and place where he could be calm and simply appreciate the work already done to bring Mankind out of the Dark Ages in which they had found themselves. Meanwhile Alpharius found himself making planetfall at Terra, a place he must always be cautious due to how many different eyes there were to see. Still his Sons in the Eternal Wardens fleet had requested his presence.
Kesar stood on one of the beaches, watching the work being done to bring the blue of the Oceans back to Terra, what the most ancient of records had described as a small blue dot in the sky, but was now brown and grey, industry and war had destroyed the beauty of the world, and yet it was being returned. Oh so slowly, yet millions worked to bring beauty back to the birthplace of Man. This is what he fought for. To see all of humanity raised up, their potential fulfilled. To bring the terrors of Old Night to heel, while the masses were able to work and live in peace. He and his Sons would cleanse worlds corrupted by the war, while his Brothers, and their Sons would bring all of humanity under the dominion of the Eternal Sovereign their Father. While removing any threats to Mankind along the way. But here, here their work was already done. Alpharius work was never done. Keeping tabs on the entirety of the Great Crusade was a nearly impossible task, requiring feats of espionage beyond the comprehension of most.
Kesar strode along the beach, imagining what it would be like in a hundred years. With the work of millions, giant machines pulling water from the atmosphere, cleansing it of the many dangerous particulates introduced to the atmosphere from thousands of years of terrible wars, it might finally be blue again, at least enough to see it from here. Though it may take hundred of years more for a normal human to see the Ocean from the old beach locations, as it ever so slowly filled in again. For one of his Sons to require his presence for their report, whatever it is must be of incredible sensitivity and importance. When he finally learned what it was, he realized he was right.
This last year had been far too terrible. More than half his Legion lost, taking a single station. While he hoped that with time, he and his Brothers, as well as the Fabricator-General of Mars would be able to learn much from the DAoT station they had found and cleared, it would take time. It would be nice to work with his Brothers, and to grow closer to the Adeptus Mechanicus in the process. Learning new things and working together should hopefully cement the ties between them. And with the knowledge of the Ancients in their grasp, hopefully they could bring ever greater resources to making the Galaxy safe for humanity. Half of his brother's Legion was dead. Plans put into place in case their Primarch, and First Captain were Lost to the deprivations of the Warp. The very idea brought fear even to a heart as steady as a Primarch.
He turned from the beach towards the nearby Hive, just watching as people lived their lives. Industriously working to provide the many materials needed for the Great Crusade, or to provide the food necessary to feed their fellow man. All working together, all safe here, for the first time in thousands of years free of petty tyrants and madmen. This is why he fought, to bring this peace to humanity as a whole. If this was true, and he had no reason to think it wasn't. His Brother, who had faced the warp entities known as daemons far more than any of the rest of his Brothers thought he too could be corrupted. If that was true, what about himself? Could he be tainted?
Slowly Kesar walked back to his personal Thunderhawk. Thinking of what the future held. Of the worlds his Sons would be asked to cleanse of daemonic filth, and of what resources they would have to do it with. Hopefully the Titan support that they had gained from the Mechanicus would be effective, they would have to keep it free from warp taint, likely having many of his Sons watch over it from close-by, ensuring no cultists or daemons got close enough to effect the mighty Engines of War. Figuring out how to cleanse a world tainted by daemons was another task, one he hoped the Sisters of Silence could help him with. Though maybe Magnus or Malcador, or possibly even Jaghatai Khan could help, hard to say for sure. If Kesar thought these things necessary, and clearly he did. He would have to implement some contingencies himself, perhaps asking Malcodor for help would be prudent here? Usually he didn't like going to the old man, but here his advice could spell the difference between survival and destruction
Entering the Thunderhawk, he took one last look out at the world, and imagined just what it could be, what he and his Father and Brothers would turn it and millions of planets like it into. Leaving the briefing, Alpharius looked out at the world, and imagined what dark horrors awaited, if even a Primarch could be Lost
The DAoT station from Senas had finally made it back to Sol. It was time now for the Brothers, and the Fabricator-General to meet and discuss how they were going to proceed. This was a meeting of the greatest mechanical minds of the Imperium, barring the Emperor Himself. Kesar was already in front of the docking bay, waiting for the final couplings to be attached to allow them easy entry from the small honorguard ship being used to ferry them to the station. It was kept near the Asteroid Belt, what there was left of it at least, in the hopes of ensuring any lingering taint was kept out of the important dockyards of Mars, or anything else particularly important. He watched as the work was done and as he did so, the Fabricator-General of Mars Kelbor-Hal approached.
Kelbor-Hal was clearly excited, such an abundance of Dark Age technology that he personally was going to be able to work on. Every scratch, and hole in the side of the station pained him, but he knew it was necessary, having read reports of just what had taken control of the station. A corrupted Man of Iron, able to produce machines in sufficient numbers and quality to even give pause to the Adeptus Astartes of the Emperor? A terrible thing, something he was glad he didn't have to send his own skittari to fight. He itched to get at the holy technology within. And to work with the Primarchs, especially ones that were willing to share with the Mechanicus? Even if they were the Emperor's sons. The knowledge gained here would all be shared with and understood by the Mechanicus. Though he might have preferred to keep the knowledge gained to within the Mechanicus's own records, these Primarchs at least, properly respected the Adeptus Mechanicus, and the Machine Spirits.
Vulkan was the next to arrive. Seeing his Brother, he immediately went over to hug him. Glad to see him again, though, having heard of how terrible a cost he paid to capture this station, sorrowful as well. "It is good to see you again Brother! I have missed you, and you come with such an incredible thing brought with you. I know how it has cost you Brother, and I will do my best to ensure that we learn all we can from it, such that every loss will be repaid a thousand times over again. This I promise you Kesar, their death shall not be in vain." He finishes before releasing Kesar from the hug. "Fabricator General Kelbor-Hal! It is good to see you again, it will be a pleasure to work with such an esteemed expert in the mysterious of the Machine as we learn all that can be learned from this station."
"Indeed Primarch Vulkan! Working with you is always a pleasure. This vast station will be a treasure trove talked among the Mechanicus for hundreds of years hence! Though," and now his whole body language seems to show concern, "it will be quite the project, ensuring that the last traces of the corruption and any sign of the abominable intelligence is removed before we can safely study this mighty vessel."
Perturabo walks in, just as the final processes are completed and the ship is docked with the Station. "Yes Fabricator-General, it was a dangerous thing bringing this station back to Sol. Hopefully there isn't anything too dangerous inside it still." He says walking past the Fabricator-General. "Ah, but it was probably a worthwhile task all the same. Especially with such expertise gathered together. If we cannot make use of what we find there, none can, save our Father himself." So saying he faces Kesar and gives him a small nod, largely ignoring Vulkan.
Kesar nods back. "Of Course Brother, I did not think I could do this on my own..."
Here he was interrupted by Ferrus Manus walking in. "Ha! Of course not Brother, I doubt any one of us could fully understand everything within this station on our own. But with all of us together, and working with the Kelbor-Hal, we can accomplish anything!"
Kesar smiled at him, "Quite right Brother, but the connection is finalized, and we can begin."
Together they walked into Station Gehenna, and began what would likely be decades of work. Cleansing the station was the first priority, to ensure the safety of the Sol system, and those working on the station itself. In this task, the Fabricator-General took charge, leading the Primarchs through the station and pointing out various important aspects and how they can be checked for purity. What to look out for, and a thousand other details passed down through the Cult Mechanicus. It was but a start, yet that start was an important one, bringing together disparate Brothers, and one of the most important arms of the Imperium itself. The meeting itself may not make a massive difference to the future of man, but sometimes, a small change can be all that stands between two extremes. Not as Planned
Chapter 1: Chaos Cults and Cultists Within dark and forgotten places hide the enemies of the Emperor. You have been chosen to enter such places
Of all organizations, none are more so deadly then that of the Chaos Cults. Xeno Empires may pressure us outwardly, but they are easily handled. Cults however are different regard. They are those who worship the foul beings of the Warp none as Daemons, who plot regularly within our own borders, on our planet to lay low our great Imperium. All planets and civilizations which call the Imperium home are in grave danger, for these cults can find homage on any of them. They are diverse in practice and membership as imaginable.
All are vulnerable to the temptations of Chaos, from the lowest wretch to the highest champion - any and all can fall. From sacrificial cults on Feudal Worlds to clandestine societies operating in guise on Civilian Worlds, Chaos can tempt all. And when one falls... so to due others, be wary for where there is one, there are many creeping about throughout the shadows.
Chaos Cults tend to be clandestine in nature, however, it is not unusual for the open worship of these Foul Warp Beings to be expressed accumulating into situations similar to those that plague my homeworld Valhalla. Many may claim those skulking about in the shadows, slowly but surely working to tear apart the society and people are the most dangerous of threat. While others will argue that they who commence in open worship and dialogue, engaging in countless actions to overthrow, kill, and enslave the populace of their planet are the more dangerous. This chapter, this book will take a neutral stance. It is not here to debate the merit of either tactic, merely allow you to recognize the wretches and propose ways to handle them for either side. Thus, let us begin. The Emperor's realm must be cleansed of taint, we shall destroy it through faith and the sword.
Methodology of Chaos Cults often differ, though they're seems to be an extremely large array tactics implemented by these organizations they all tend to fall into four differing styles as seen by the Warp Predators. The reasoning for these four separate styles shall be expanded upon further in the primer. Overall, the groups tend to act within a planet, or galactic entities own legitimate organizations, such as trade unions, charitable organizations, religious organizations and they use this to accumulate local or planetary power. Extreme political parties also seem to attract attention of these cults, as they naturally draw in power-hungry and mentally-unbalanced individuals who tend to be very good cultists.
A very successful organization can achieve real political power, potentially gaining enough strength that the cult might seize control of the planet without resorting to outright rebellion. It is here issues begin, for once Chaos takes root untold numbers begin to suffer. With the seizure of power, eventually either an uprising will occur for those planets who aren't controlled by the Cults or they begin the process of tainting the planet and sacrificing it's people to foul daemons that infest the warp.
For those planets who face uprisings caused by Chaos Cults, it can often be seen to either have been a purposeful uprising fully planned or an entirely accidental one caused by large numbers of cultists and the inability to keep the cult a secret. The dangers faced here are that Cultists can and will actively count upon the Warp Entities labelled as Daemons for support and often sacrifice large numbers of innocents and themselves to call out amounts of Daemons or even more powerful entities labelled Greater Daemons. Though physical damage can seem to dispel these Entities, it needs to be extreme amounts of force and often times the Entities are further empowered by the sacrifices made. Thus, increasing the difficulty and deadliness of this enemy. It should be cults and cultist quality is highly diversified and can range from elite units on par with Imperial Army units to those no better then Feudal World Savages, such is the stark difference.
The most dangerous aspect of these cults is not their ability to summon daemons, nor the Warp induced abilities some may gain - but the corruptive aspect of their physical and verbal presence. With the corruption inside of them tainting others and the land, often causing others to fall - while their words work as insidious whispers poisoning the hearts, minds, and souls of men and women alike. The author can only offer up various ideas to aid in those steeling theirselves against such whispers and proclaiming that any wounds suffered against the cultist have surrounding skin torn out and the wound cauterized to burn out the potential rot and taint that may sink in. Harden your soul
The origins of new Chaos Cultists are legion for the powers of darkness are ever quick to promise glory. Trillions of souls labour night and day in an increasingly hostile universe. Kilometres-high hive-cities boil with overpopulation, dense hab-complexes sprawl across continents, and Industrial Worlds grind and churn by the efforts of uncounted workers under the steely gaze of their high-handed overlords. But the Adepts of the established order cannot be everywhere at once.
The cultists of Chaos can be found, in one form or another, almost anywhere the Imperium has spread. At first glance, they are indistinguishable from normal men and women, but under their clothes, their flesh is tattooed and branded with sigils that hurt the eyes of any who look upon them. Improvised armour is donned and long-hidden weapons are broken out as the cultists prepare to overthrow the Imperium one hab-block at a time. Rag-tag companies band together under the demagogues that arrive in their midst. Every man is a spark in the darkness, by the time he is noticed he is gone forever. A retinal after-image that fades and is obscured by newer, brighter lights.
Chaos Cultists can come from almost any background. After all, even a man who has nothing left can still barter away his soul. The mutational "gifts" received by the most powerful cultists can be strange. A favoured devotee might have muscles of living steel, flailing sucker-tentacles in place of a tongue, or the horned head of a mindless beast. Regardless of their station, each of these dangerous malcontents trains their mind and body for the day when the favoured will lead them to a darkly glorious future, when they can rise up against the hated order of the Imperium and set the galaxy aflame.
Equipment of the Chaos Cultist:
The Chaos Cultists are garbed in ragged cloaks, macabre masks and sinister-looking hoods, and display an array of intricate features from studs and straps to daggers, wires and pouches. Cultists often carry a mixture of close combat weapons and ranged weapons, including spiked maces, flails, autoguns and auto pistols, as civilian populaces rarely have access to armouries until after the uprising has succeeded.
Next Page > 4 Side of Chaos Cults, and How to Identify Them
Here's what I got thus far, going to try to think of what I can go back and fix in this specific one and make better. However, for now... I guess it's done?
Vulkan, Ferrus Manus, Perturabo, Kesar Dorlin, Kelbor-Hal. 5 of the greatest minds of the Imperium of Man. Gathered together to do their best to study a relic of the Dark Ages. It was perhaps the greatest gathering of the minds the Imperium had ever seen. Surely it was the most open of such. Each had their own specialties, but to begin with Kelbor-Hal was in charge. With a station that had housed a corrupt MoI, it was mandatory that a senior tech-priest, in this case the most senior of them worked to purify it of corruption, and ensure no traces of the MoI remained. In this task Kesar's Rune of Detection proved a welcome help. Giving an alternate effective means of recognizing the warp taint to the Fabricator-General's own. Still just identifying the worst of the corruption took hours with the sheer size of the station. It needed to be accomplished nonetheless. Even the Primarchs were silent in veneration of this ancient work of Man, and in recognizance of the desecration it had been subjected to. Each of the mighty here cared deeply for the Machine in their own Way, for their own reasons.
Still eventually that task was completed, and the menial work of preparation for the rituals of purification would be left to more junior hands. Instead they began to catalog what was left, that which was intact and uncorrupted, that which was damaged, and that which was destroyed. Starting from the lower levels of the station Kesar took the lead, for here was housed mighty Void Shield Generators, something within the warp-tech field Kesar had made his own. He showed off the maintainence manuals that his Sons had found, and rejoiced Kelbor-Hal at how easy they would make it to keep these might machines functional, to know precisely the correct methods of caring for these machines, allowing them to be used for millennia more.
The middle levels were next, where sensor grids had been. Kesar told them of how they were destroyed, and while he hoped that something could be salvaged from the wreckage, he admitted it was beyond him. The others also grieved for the loss of what might have been. They Perurabo and Ferrus Manus took to searching around both believing their expertise could be sufficient to see something Kesar might have missed. Meanwhile Kelbor-Hal seemed mostly to grieve at such a loss. Vulkan more grieving at the many dead in taking what of the station was still intact.
The upper levels followed. Here Vulkan took charge, going through the various Archeotech, and noticing things about them Kesar had missed. His expertise at Artifice was a welcome thing to Kesar and the Fabricator-General, though both Ferrus Manus and Perturabo were quick to chime in on anything they considered a mistake. Often shooting glances at each other whenever the other did so. Still, Vulkan took this with patience and carried on. There was far too much to go over on this one day, but to start with? There was so much found, that still needed repair of course, but some far less than others. Some simple contraptions Vulkan could fix as they walked through the station.
Eventually they doubled back to the Foundry where again Kelbor-Hal took charge. Going through and cataloging all that he could with his experience in heavy industry serving him in good stead. The others helped as they were able, but his sheer experience keeping him far ahead of the others in this task. As they looked through everything in a general overview. Checking for anything remaining of the once prosperous machines, now turned to dark purpose, that could be of benefit to the Imperium of Man, or the Cult Mechanicus.
It would take decades to truly finish everything needing done within this station, but with this trip they learned what would be easy, what would be difficult, and what was needed to ensure it was not a danger to all those working on it. In time further work would be done, but for now they stopped, and went separate ways, each with their own tasks to accomplish.
After their initial foray into station Gehenna together, Kesar met with Kelbor-Hal to further discuss how the care of the station would be attributed. Who would guard it, where resources would come from to see its needs met, and its contents purified. Kelbor-Hal was initially wary of Kesar, while he had done great things for the Mechanicus, he was still his father's son. Yet as they communicated, Kesar seemed quite willing to share all the knowledge that the station contained with the Mechanicus, as well as help ensure its safety. While the Mechanicus supplied it.
Kelbor-Hal brought up the future of the stations archeotech as well. While the Primarch's Legion had captured it, making it theirs by right of conquest, he still wanted access to the machines themselves. This was something Kesar was willing to negotiate with him about, greatly surprising him. He was used to the Space Marines being selfish with the resources they found, especially the wonders of the Dark Age of Technology. Yet here was a Primarch, usually beings whose pride is nearly choking, willing to release this tech to Mars, with simple conditions such as that it be studied! As if he would do anything else, or that if its principles of construction could be understood, that it would be used for the betterment of Mankind. While the knowledge of all the technology the Primarch wanted for his own Legion, he willingly shared it with its proper caretakers. Something the Fabricator-General simply was not used to.
Kesar seemed mostly happy with the negotiations, though mildly perturbed at how Kelbor-Hal seemed to assume he was going to try and take everything for himself. Was his reputation outside of his Legion that bad? Something to look into later. Still he freely talked with Kelbor-Hal of how he planned to see as much of this Archeotech brought back into use by the Mankind as was possible. Something that Kelbor-Hal seemed to appreciate. The negotiations took much longer than Kesar expected, he had thought to simply share everything freely with the Cult Mechanicus, it was their entire purpose after all. Yet Kelbor-Hal kept to each point individually, seeming to fight for each tiny piece of tech. Something that concerned him a bit, but didn't let effect him while the negotiations were ongoing. He did hold out for increased support of his Legion however, something that seemed remarkably easy to get all things considered.
Kelbor-Hal was ecstatic at how the negotiations were going. It seemed this Primarch was terribly at it, giving him nearly everything he wanted, save for full control of everything within the station, something he put out there fulling knowing would not be accepted. Still to have full access to everything within the station. The freedom to make copies of the Manuals of Maintenance? A wonderful thing, that would hopefully lead to improvements in the rituals of maintenance that they currently used with this most direct knowledge of how they were performed in the Dark Age of Technology. Truly this station was a blessing of the Omnissiah, and one brought about by that falsehood the Emperor's own Son? An interesting thing indeed. Perhaps this Primarch was different? One who served the Omnissiah, if indirectly. An interesting conversation Brother, truly your methods are unique, and yet they seem to serve you well.
Both parties left the ship to go see to their own tasks, having gained much from the talks. Though the Eternal Wardens, perhaps gained more than they initially expected.
As the junior tech-priest was going through the holy hand-device they found in one of the crew-quarters. He found a fragment of the description of
what seemed to be a milk-based recipe. The writer seemed to be implying that he and some of the other holy engin-seers enjoyed this food-product. Information into
the lives of the people of the holy era is unique indeed!
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As the Emperor of mankind read the first summary of the findings of the station. He saw that, bizarrely, one of the items that the Admech found most interesting, even if not all that useful, was something that reminded him of old times. As he dutiable noted it even as he multi-tasked into planning out one of his many projects he said:
"huh, they re-discovered Mac-N-Cheese; took them long enough. "
[x] Where is the Love
-[x] Dismantle and Reverse Engineer
-[x] Ferrus, Vulkan,Pertarubo, General Fabricator of Mars
-[x] Till Death do us Apart – The Wardens know the pain of their brothers dying. In the Senas system on Gehenna Station, brothers watched, helpless, as their closest friends desperately fought and died. The bonds between them have been forged in fire. They will not give up while their brothers live. They will not join the Lost Ones. To do so would be to break these sacred bonds. *+60 to corruption resistance for Wardens*
-[x] Father I must request resources and help From the Sister's of Silence. My legion will glady take on this task but we will loose numbers and after several years be unable to fight. I have lost half of my sons just taking this station, tens of thousands taking one planet before. I will do this but require the resources to do so.
-[x] I need specialized weapons that can deal with Daemons and more Psychic Lore about daemon and daemon slaying and how to Purify Tainted Planets. I want to have the first preference in case of Most talented Recruits from Terra Particularly one those have Psychic powers. I also request you to train some of my most talented Librarians and Apothecary so that they can learn from you and spread such knowledge among the Legion when they return.
Following his Father's orders, Kesar responded by asking for more resources. "Father, the Eternal Wardens will gladly take on this task, but we will need more resources. At the current rate, we will lose numbers and be ineffective. This one station killed half my Legion. I lost tens of thousands on Sakini. I need resources."
"WHAT PRECISELY DO YOU ASK OF ME?" The Emperor of Man looked at Kesar, as an office manager would to an employee that asked for a raise. In response, Kesar continued.
"I request help from the Sisters of Silence. Additionally, I request specialized weapons, lore about daemons and psykers, how to purify such worlds, the right to recruit from Terra, and training of my most talented Librarians from you." The Emperor of Man scrutinized Kesar and his honor guard. In a brief moment that stretched for an eternity, he considered his son's request before coming to a conclusion.
"YOU UNDERESTIMATE YOURSELF. YOU WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE SISTERS OF SILENCE. NOTHING MORE. I DO NOT HAVE THE TIME TO GIVE THIS. HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME WORLDS OF MINE YOU MAY RECRUIT FROM, INCLUDING TERRA." With that, the Emperor of Man motioned to one of his Custodes who gave Kesar a dataslate. In this were the orders for planets to allow the Eternal Wardens to recruit. This should increase their recruitment rate to 10,000 which while still slow, was still better. Then, the Emperor spoke as he left, "DON'T DISAPPOINT ME."
With that, Kesar now had access to the Sisters of Silence as well as a faster-recruiting rate. The Sisters would undoubtedly be useful against the psykers and daemons the Wardens would face. However, he would need to preserve their lives since they were a strategic asset on the level of superheavies and titans. Nevertheless, they would prove majorly useful.
*Recruitment increased to 10,000*
*+25 to rolls against psykers and daemons*
Following this, Kesar traveled to Station Gehenna, which had been shifted to Martian orbit. When he arrived, he met with his brothers and Fabricator General Kelbor-Hal. This went well, even with Perturabo's rather blatantly ignoring those besides Kesar. They began to look through the station, cataloging the damage and what was recoverable. The main problem, however, was the sheer amount of corruption. Kelbor-Hal stated that it would take 2 years thanks to cooperation from the Machine Spirits.
In regards, to their sections, the Primarchs gave their reports. Vulkan had mostly been searching through the upper levels, and he found a great deal of archeotech. In fact, he said that while the life support here was damaged, it could be repaired within 5 years once he started. Reverse engineering would be more difficult, but still doable.
Ferrus Manus and Perturabo then gave their report on the middle decks. The two Primarchs were slightly hostile towards each other, but it was fairly minor. The middle decks were trashed, but they said that it was still recoverable. They estimated it would take between 15-30 years to fix the sensor grid into a position that could be reverse engineered. This was mostly due to the massive amounts of damage and the complexity of the Dark Age sensors.
Lastly was Kelbor-Hal who gave his report on the Foundry. It was a disaster, but not unrecoverable. There were hints here and there that Kelbor-Hal could slowly extrapolate and use to rebuild the Foundry. However, he said this would take a century at the minimum. Nevertheless, this was not the main purpose. Instead, he believed he could slowly use the technology to improve the Imperium's industrial output, although this would take decades as well.
However, this would have to wait for at least two years for the Mechanicus to purify the station. In the meantime, the other Primarchs would pursue their own projects. Meanwhile, Kelbor-Hal invited Kesar for a talk. Once they were alone, the Martian Fabricator General spoke up, "Thank you Lord Primarch. Your efforts to assist the Mechanicus are appreciated."
"My thanks Fabricator General, I only do my duty."
"Yes, but you are one of the few that do." Sighing, Kelbor motioned for Kesar to take a seat in a reinforced chair. As Kesar sat down, Kelbor continued, "I'll be frank, I don't like the Emperor or most of the Primarchs. You're different, however."
Confused, Kesar scrutinized the man. Tech-priests tended to be harder to read since many of their biological quirks are suppressed. Nevertheless, Kesar could get a decent read of who Kelbor was as a person. "I assure you, as long as the technology is studied, I am happy to give the Mechanicus full access. I have no intention of hoarding this station."
"And for that I thank you. I must say, sharing that air filter STC earned you my respect. Then you recovered the remains of a Dark Age titan. And now you kill a daemonic abominable intelligence and recover a Dark Age station. You better be careful, some of the Mechanicus may think you will recover a toaster next." At the end of the statement, Kelbor's mechadentrites moved upwards in a gesture of humor. Kesar was slightly surprised at the humor making fun of the Mechanicus themselves.
"I admit, many of my actions seem to assist the Mechanicus. But none of this was my intention. I merely wish to help humanity and these choices did so."
"A rational decision, I approve. Meanwhile, I do have some things I can give your Legion as long as they remain friends with the Mechanicus."
"My thanks Fabricator General." Kesar was pleased with this turn of events, Kelbor was rather pleased with the Warden's and this would result in improved equipment for the Wardens. Truly impressive.
*+5 to combat rolls (superior equipment)*
*Kelbor-Hal relationship gained "My favorite Primarch. I look forward to meeting him and pledge the assistance of the Mechanicus in his endeavors."*
Following the impromptu visit to the Fabricator General, Kesar decided to visit Perturabo. The Lord of Iron seemed rather bored when Kesar arrived. The XIth Primarch would admit that he wasn't sure what to think of his brother. Perturabo was rather quiet, yet he seemed like he wanted attention. Moreover, Kesar was not sure how he felt about the decimation he had ordered. Then again, there may have been some reason for it. That was for another time, however. "Brother, it is good to meet you."
At this, Perturabo barely turned his head, as he blatantly scrutinized Kesar. "Adequate."
Blinking, Kesar responded. "Could you elaborate?"
"Taking this station. It was difficult, and you did it. There were ways to do it better, but I wasn't there." The Lord of Iron stepped forward at this and motioned for Kesar to follow. As he did, Perturabo continued. "Why did you call me?"
"Because I heard you were brilliant. It's why I called Vulkan and Ferrus as well. The four of us are unrivaled when it comes to different aspects of the station. As such, I called the three of you." At this, Perturabo's pace slowed slightly, but no other change was visible.
"I see." Somehow, that was spoken in a manner that was completely neutral and with no effective emotions visible. Still, Kesar knew that there was some subtext he was missing. Thankfully, it seemed that Perturabo had noticed Kesar's confusion. Not so thankfully, he did not elaborate.
As they neared Perturabo's transport, Kesar wished his brother farewell. "I appreciate the talk, as brief as it was. I'll see you in two years when the station is purified. Have a safe trip."
As Kesar was walking away, he noticed Perturabo stop on the ramp before turning his head towards him. When Kesar turned, the Lord of Iron spoke, "Thanks for having me. It was a pleasure to meet you." For once in the conversation, Perturabo seemed not quite happy, but it was more as if he was pleased with something.
Already in the hanger, Kesar managed to catch Vulkan and Ferrus as they were leaving. Ferrus motioned him over and spoke, "It appears you were stronger than I thought. Good job."
"My thanks brother. While the cost was high, I hope the rewards from this station will be worth it." Kesar was genuine on both counts. Half his Legion had perished, but a Dark Age station was a powerful artifact that would be a massive strategic asset to the Imperium.
"True, when it is reverse engineered the Imperium will be stronger for it." At this, Ferrus seemed rather contemplative, seeing this, Kesar decided to speak about it.
"Is something wrong brother." At this, Ferrus calmly looked up before thinking for a moment. Then he responded.
"I don't think I would be doing what you are. I would turn this station into a battle station and use it for my Legion. You didn't do that. What does that say about me?" At this, Ferrus looked at Kesar with respect. The XIth Primarch had already shared STCs before. Even when the Gorgon received such a gift, he never gave anything in return.
"Nothing." Ferrus raised an eyebrow at this as Kesar continued. "You are not in my position, so your fears are irrelevant."
"That is not true. Look at Dorn. His Phalanx had helped enable his success. He didn't work on reverse engineering it. I wouldn't have either."
"Perhaps, but I don't care." Ferrus looked confused as Kesar continued. "I don't care about retaining advantages over my Brothers. The competition between us is meaningless. We fight for mankind, not for glory. If I fought for glory, I would have ordered my sons to use minimal explosives. Instead, I fought for what was best for mankind, no matter how much it hurt." At the end of the short speech, Kesar looked somber as he remembered those that had died. Ferrus didn't notice this, however, as he decided to take his leave.
"Thank you, Brother. You have given me much to think about." Ferrus turned and walked with his honor guard to his ship before he took off and left. Now, Vulkan approached Kesar after seeing that the XIth Primarch was open to a visit.
Vulkan embraced his brother before speaking. "Brother, I am so sorry for your loss."
"I will admit, it was disheartening to lose so many of my sons on that station, but they will live on." At this, Vulkan noticed Kesar pointing at his armor. Tens of thousands of names and stories were carved. Too small for a normal human to read, but an Astartes could do so easily. To a Primarch, these carvings were as clear as day. At this, Vulkan smiled.
"A good practice. Sadly, you may have to redo that." Kesar was surprised before Vulkan's honor guard moved forward with a series of measuring devices. "I have been planning a set of armor for you Brother. I had hoped to get your measurements."
At this Kesar smiled before motioning to the Salamanders to continue. As they measured the length of his limbs and torso, Kesar had one demand of Vulkan. "If you do forge a set, I will carve the names and stories of the fallen." Kesar would not accept the armor if his son's stories were not carved by him personally. It would feel like he had cheated them of their memory. No, he would carve their names himself, even if he weakened the armor.
"Of course, I understand completely Kesar." At this Kesar nodded, and as the Salamanders left, he began planning what to do for the next year of the crusade.
Research (Choose 3) (Normally 2, but I missed one before in Year 5, so you get an extra one which will lock until it is done before it goes away)
[] Void Shields Basic Design– Basic
[] Warp Engine Basic Design – Basic
[] Teleportation fundamentals – Basic
[] Ways objects affect the warp – Basic
[] Runic Linking – Master
[] Runic Crossing – Master
[] Pentagrammic Runic Integration – Master
[] Vortex Mathematics - Basic
[] Gellar Field Mathematical Modelling – Advanced
[] Warp Genetics – Advanced
[] Basic Gene Seed – Advanced
[] Warp Mutation Mapping – Advanced
[] Runic Linking Theory - Master
[] Runic Crossing Theory - Master
[] Basic Understanding of Cultist Behavior – Basic
Social (Pick 2 From here)
[] Horus
[] Leman
[] Fulgrim
[] Magnus
[] Perturabo
[] Corax
[] Alpharius
[] Malcador
[] Kelbor-Hal
[] Legion
[] Write-in (Literally any organization works subject to GM veto)
Runic Design (Pick 1)
[] Write-in (See the informational for examples, write-ins are welcome)
-[] Create Basic Rune – Master
-[] Create Advanced Rune – Grandmaster
-[] Create Master Rune – Pioneer
-[] Create Grandmaster Rune – Paragon (Basically, tells you what the requirements are)
AN: Infrastructure and Crusade are in the next update
Ruminations on the Void Shield Maintenance Manuals
Kesar sat in his personal room with a dataslate in hand. His time on Terra had been fruitful, and he'd accomplished much, but he'd put aside thoughts on Void Shields. Yet the memories of station Gehenna's massive DAoT void shields had been sticking with him. How did they function? Why did they function? What was the mechanism by which they operated. These thoughts would not leave him. He poured over the manuals of maintenance recovered by his Sons, learning all he could from what the manuals stated. Learning what could go wrong with a machine and how to fix it gave him great insight into its workings.
Still, this was not enough on its own to remake the entirety of the machine. It seemed the maintenance rituals included replacement as opposed to rebuilding for anything of sufficient damage. Otherwise it would be incredibly easy to make more of them. What it did have though? Likely to further his understanding of these generators significantly. Knowing what kinds of faults could be caused by various parts of the machine being damaged? Near priceless in figuring out how the individual components worked.
When this piece could cause the Shield to shrink in size if damaged, no longer covering the entirety of the ship? That's important to know, it is a projector for the shield, capable of determining its size and shape. Something that was not obvious even to his own mind. Further it missing completely could lead to the Shield not forming at all, suggesting that this piece in particular is a point of failure in the design, perhaps unavoidable, though then again, perhaps not? Something to look into, a certain degree of redundancy can be incredibly beneficial in battle.
Then there is these other components. According to the the manuals of maintenance, they could cause the Void Shield that the projector creates to be far too weak. Easily broken by even relatively meager fire. Though, meager to something of the scale of station Gehenna was still mighty indeed. Nonetheless, each of these individual components seemed to play a part in strengthening the Void Shield. There were many of them, perhaps the Void Shield could be made stronger by adding more? Each seemed to consume a fixed amount of power...
Hmm, power. He was quite surprised when he saw how power connected to the Void Shield Generators. It seemed that the power was put into a kind of converter, and that converter turned the power gotten from the station into something else. Usable by the rest of the components of the generator. Figuring out what that something else is, whether its a different type of power, or some other kind of energy? Maybe something chemical in nature. He didn't yet know, but he would find out.
Then there was the issue of calibration of the Void Shield, ensuring that only things above a specific speed would be effected by it. How the machine sensed such things was currently beyond him. But with careful testing maybe he could figure it out? Something for later, he supposed, for now though? Knowing what piece caused the shield to be semi-permeable was helpful, as issues had arisen before regarding void shields that after damage in battle did not work properly, this new knowledge could hopefully be applied to those cases, and if the system were sufficiently similar the rights of maintenance from the station could hopefully be used to fix those issues.
Beyond the physical components however, were the various codes used to communicate with the Machine Spirit of the ancient device. The instructions on how to appease the Machine Spirit were couched in unfamiliar terms, but they were helpful nonetheless. With improved communication with it, those tasked to maintain it would be able to ask the Machine Spirit itself what was wrong, something that anyone who worked with such complicated technology would greatly appreciate.
All in all this manual had proven to be a goldmine of information, leading to new insights into the design of the DAoT, and the thought processes of those who wrote it. Something he was sure he would be able to learn even more from as his understanding of the principles behind Void Shields grew.
Right all fixed and edited.
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The Doom Marines
When one thinks of rage, they think of an inferno that will not go out, one that will burn both those things that they care about as well as those cause of that rage. Rage can also be focused, going form an inferno into a focused and deadly torch, that will only attack that which has caused it, with even more fury and power then an inferno could ever hope to be. Then there is a cool rage, rage that is harnessed and turned colder than the darkest places in the void, rage that will wait, calmly, and will plan for your very end as you die with everything you know and live destroys around you. For Brother Asura, he felt rage of both fire and ice, but also a sadness, a deep sadness that would cause a world to weep and would cause a lesser man to break and buckle into a steep depression where he may not be able to return from. These two conflicting feelings is what caused him to press on. When the Demons and Demon Engines were butchering his brothers, he felt a rage all-encompassing and attacked even harder. When we saw some of his brother fall to this rage, and become what they fought against, that rage cooled and became sadness and clarity. He still killed the demons and the lost, but now he saw the battle through a different lens.
He saw his brother getting killed yes, but he also saw the tears in their eyes as they fought The Lost, he saw tears of joy as another brother was saved, and saw his brothers fight ever harder even to just save one more, so that when there father came, he would not see only a station filled with the dead. When he saw the Demons, how they only called for Blood and skulls, and killed, and killed, and killed. So he did what he did best, if they wanted blood and skulls, he would give none to them, if they wanted their plans to succeed, then he would foil them as well, if they wanted to only stagnate in disease and some twisted form of joy, he would take that form them as well, if they wanted sensation and decadence and some twisted form of pleasure, they would get none form him. But he was just one man, what could one man, even as a Space Marine do to things that are butchering his brothers lift and right?
The thing about being a Space Marine, about being human, is that you are never alone. Were one may falter, or fall, another would be there to either take his place, or stand next to him to help share the burden. For brother Asura was not alone he had his brothers, his company was with him as well, Brother Yasha was with him, helping to keep the demons back, Brother Argus was there to help brother Yokavitch take down another of the lost. Brother Vladimir and Brother Durga were helping to heal another one of their brothers who were injured in the fighting. So, he and his brothers held the line, and they kept holding the line, putting the fear of the Eternal Wardens in to whatever stud for a heart for their misbegotten kind. They killed and killed and killed some more, when a daemon engine flanked Brother Marks, Brother Akuma Ripped it apart, when brother Deus was gravely injured, Brother Vlad ran in to get him to the medics. They were brothers all, and if this was met to be there doom, then they would kill it as well.
For though they fell sorrow for their brothers who have died and have become part of the lost, for though they feel rage at the demons who dare to corrupt and kill their brothers, for though they are dying one by one, they will Rip and Tear until it is done.
Having gone over the manuals and learned all he could from them at this time. Kesar decided it was time to take a closer look at the void shields in his own ships. Starting with the one he was currently on. So he set down his data-pad and proceeded to head into the bowls of his ship. Along the way, he informed the first tech-priest that he saw of his plans, and to send the Magos most knowledgeable about the Void Shields to him.
Upon arriving at the Void Shields, he found a Magos waiting for him. "Greetings Lord Primarch! I am Magos Averenth, in charge of the care and maintenance of these holy devices. I was told you wished to discuss them with me?" The Magos said as soon as Kesar entered the large room housing the ancient device.
"Yes, I've been studying the maintenance manuals found on-board station Gehenna, and I was hoping to discuss with you what could be learned from it, as well as to better my understanding of these amazing machines." Kesar replied with a smile. So far his every interaction with the Cult Mechanicus had ended positively for himself and his Legion, so he was generally always happy to communicate with its members.
Averenth's face lit up with joy, quite literally in this case as he had a plethora of lights for various purposes embedded into the mechanism that acted as his face. This was a topic that fascinated him, and that he could discuss endlessly. And so they discussed the operation of the Void Shield Generator, how he cared for it properly, how to tell if the Machine Spirit was angered or pleased. The decoding of the readouts the machine produced during the various Rituals of Maintenance. Some of this Kesar could add insight to from his study of the Dark Age manual.
As their discussion of the working of the generator was coming to an end, Kesar had an idea spark. "Magos Averenth, tell me, have you had any experience in the construction of these mighty machines? And if so, did you make a recording of the process?"
"Why yes Lord Primarch, I was blessed with such an opportunity. Would you like to review the process? It was quite the holy experience for me, I'm sure one such as you could also appreciate the sheer wonder of it." The Magos replies face blinking with a variety of lights showing his joy, wonder, and curiosity, for from this brief conversation that the Primarch's ability to understand these wonders of the Dark Age far eclipsed his own, and he hoped to learn more from continued discussions with him.
"Yes, I think that would be a wonderful idea. If you can trust your juniors to care for the Generator for the duration, let us go and do so now, my study has a quite acceptable holo-viewer that should serve quite well." the Primarch replied, obviously as excited about the potential for learning new things as the Magos, if not nearly as shiny about it. Still Magos only took a short moment to verify all was well, before leaving a senior Enginseer in charge while he was busy and the two of them left for the Primarch's study.
Once there, the Magos plugged into the holo-viewer and proceeded to upload his recordings of the process of creation for the Void Shield Generator assigned to this very vessel. He had been honored to be given the position of caretaker for this machine from its creation, and so he had many hours of records covering every step of the process, for his own review to ensure that he was eminently familiar with every aspect of the machine. Nonetheless a Primarch's mind noticed details his did not, could find important clues as to the working of the generator that he had never noticed or considered. To think he would have the honor of providing the material used to bring back the understanding of the Ancients of the Dark Age of Technology, one piece at a time. Glory be to the Omnissiah!
Kesar on the other hand while fascinated did not find it to be nearly as holy an experience, while he did not have the time to cover the many days worth of recordings the Magos had given him, what he could uncover from what the Magos considered the most important aspects of the creation process was useful indeed. Perhaps his goal of finally understanding the basic mechanisms by which the Void Shield Generators worked was closer than he had thought? But there were so very many individual pieces to each of these machines, achieving complete mastery of all of it would take time, even for him. A basic understanding though? That he felt, could be achieved with a significantly smaller investment in time.
