Xor had been enjoying the tour so far. Zeta 9-Kane was a good conversationalist who seemed to be managing the station as well as he could with the forces at his disposal. The appearance of the rift had caused a large amount of trouble for them. "We believe that keeping Gellar fields operational lessens if not negates the effects of the rift." Doll explained as he forwarded the local Magos the data they had compiled. "That… would be difficult but after we provide you with the two requested fields we have enough to cover the station. Making more for the hives will take time." Zeta responded pensively as they continued with the tour. He examined the data and found no faults with it. "The Gellar fields will help prevent the hemorrhaging of viable workforce. We… Stop." Xor demanded of their group. He received the message from Nicole at the same time Doll did. Zeta paused and looked between the two Magi with obvious confusion. "We need to head to this location immediately." Xor told Zeta as he transmitted the location data. "That is a fair distance away. We can head there, though it's marked as not in service." Zeta said, pointing in the general direction. "My apprentice has discovered Heretek activity in that location." Doll informed the Magos. Zeta went still for a few moments "Hereteks? On my station!? Is this confirmed Archmagos!?" "This is Brother Silverwalker. We encountered a Daemon - classification: Minoris, a Blue Horror. It has been terminated. We suffered no casualties. The Princeps was closest to the summoning and was slightly spooked by the creature's appearance and malefic aura. She is unharmed. Encrypted visual confirmations to follow this transmission." "Confirmed. The margin of error is negligible." Xor informed Zeta who looked torn between outrage and disbelief. "We shall go collect the Heretek for interrogation. The remaining cultists and the Daemonic entity have been purged." Doll said as he turned. Zeta hissed at the mention of the daemon, his grip on his Omnissian Axe tightened until his mechanical digits groaned. He took a raspy breath and bowed his head "I will submit to any necessary scrutiny for my failure. Archmagos Doll, Magos Xor." "We can discuss such things after we have secured the traitor. Let us make haste." Xor said as he moved with purpose. Going over the data provided by Brother Silverwalker as he went. —----------------------------------------------------- The scene that the Magi found when they arrived was a mixed one. Nicole was at the entrance with two locals standing while they sat against the wall. The unmoving form of the Heretek lied surrounded by the Scyllax. Brother Silverwalker was speaking to Nicole. "Princeps, I believe those were your first human kills, are you sure you're alright?" "Huh? I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be? Those were cultists... traitors. Traitors and cultists aren't people. The Daemon was the worst part but that was mostly what surprised me. Next time I'll hit it or shoot it instead!" She declared proudly. Brother Silverwalker snorted and muttered something about Venerable Baldos being an influence. As soon as they got within fifty meters Nicole turned and perked up "Master Doll! Master Xor!" "Nicole, it is good to see you are unharmed." Doll said, looking down at the unmoving Tech Priest. "Is that the individual responsible?" Xor asked as he approached to confirm. "Yup! He's all yours, Master Xor." Nicole said with a smile. Xor gave Nicole a fond smile "Thank you, Nicole. Rest assured I shall dutifully extract everything he knows. You have done well." Nicole beamed and nodded "Yes, I used the attack code string you suggested. He's trying to fight it of course but he's… kinda bad at it?" "Dear, Nicole, your processing capabilities exceed his by more than an order of magnitude." Xor took over managing the prisoner. Nicole's version of the Iron Maiden code string he had given her was especially vicious and responsive. She had effectively entombed him inside his own body where attempting any action resulted in intense pain. He allowed himself to feel a twinge of pride as he reached down and clamped his servo arm onto the base of the offender's neck and hoisted him upwards. "Tech Priest Iota-6-Iota?" Zeta spoke up as he looked down at the figure confused. "He's been working in the outer ring for over a decade. He has a modest and slightly above-average work performance. Who are those two?" "Those two are local individuals who brought several mechanical issues to my attention that in turn led to the discovery of this Heretek workshop." "Do they require punishment or censorship?" Zeta asked sternly. "Negative. I believe they are due a minor reward if anything." Nicole replied firmly. "They did not see inside the workshop. The shop itself is covered in heretical runes and filled with contraband gear. The main cogitator is utterly lost and has been corrupted by the Daemonic presence and will need to be destroyed. It's a bit of a mess with all the dead cultists inside too." Nicole sighed and shook her head. "We have teams on the way to handle purifying the area and the following cleanup, Nicole. We would prefer you return to the Argent Drake for now. After we have ensured the individuals connected with the Heretek have been identified you can resume your exploration." Doll told her politely. "Alright. It's been a pretty full day already. I would like to go take a bath and sleep. I had a lot of fun going around helping out with some of the repairs and exploring the station." She told the Magi who nodded. Zeta looked confused. The Princeps had been wandering around doing minor repairs for fun? Then he glanced at the door terminal that Nicole had fixed up while waiting for them and saw the note with new maintenance instruction paper stamped onto the side. The large clean-up team of servitors and Skitarii showed up promptly, led by Magos Altair. When he arrived he looked rather disgruntled as he stomped over to Doll and passed him a shiny sliver of something before he headed into the room. Doll looked amused as he pocketed the item. "Master Altair?" Nicole called out. Altair turned and stared at her for a moment before shaking his head and muttered "Shouldn't have bet against you. Numerical outlier. Forgot to account for your natural unusual variation factors. Statistically anomalous…" —-------------------------------------------------------------- "What do you want, ZR-999? I am a little busy at the moment." Radic spoke into his vox as he sat tucked behind a wall. "Query: Two individuals. Status: Flagged. Location: Halo. New Status: Apprehended." "Already?" Radic pulled out his pocket watch and checked the time "It's barely been two days. The Archmagos works fast. We can cancel our visit to orbit then." "Faction: Venitorii. Individual: Magos Xor. Status: Present." ZR started. "Ahh, I can assume they were incredibly thorough then?" Radic reached down and pulled out a lho stick. "Affirmative." ZR replied. A portion of the ferrocrete wall shattered by his head sending little sharp slivers to plink off his coat. "Will someone please kill that sniper!?" He called out to his team as he flicked up his lighter and lit the stick. "ZR-999, what's the status of our search for the artifact?" Radic asked as he reloaded his pistol. "Search: Ongoing. Data: Inconclusive. More data is required. Warning: Hostiles inbound on your location." "Of course there are. Keep at it. I'll message you once we're done here." Radic grumbled and adjusted his hat. "Clear backblast!" One of his men yelled as a frag missile flew out to explode just inside the window the sniper had been using. "Clear!" Radic slowly got to his feet and rolled his shoulders as he readied his pistol and rounded the corner where he shot a shirtless man holding a spikey pipe in the head. "I hate hive gangs." —---------------------------------------------------------------- Once I get back aboard the Argent Drake I take a deep breath. The air aboard the ship just tastes sweeter, the Ancient Archeotech Life Sustainer making a clear difference compared to the basic Vitae-pattern the station uses. Security has increased and most away teams have been recalled. My orders are to remain on the ship until the remaining Hereteks are dealt with. I don't mind as it will give me a bit of time to relax and work on a few more of the Jump Packs. Working on the station was satisfying but the encounter with the Daemon was not great for my mental health. I wait until I am back in my quarters to read the waiting message from my Psybernetics it has been waiting since the Daemonic incident. "Warning Minor Daemonic entity detected nearby: Emergency Access Granted." "Administrative Access has been granted to: Psyber control Systems: Tau" "Administrative Access has been granted to: Psyber control Systems: Upsilon" "Administrative Access has been granted to: Psyber Limiter Iota" "Please Deploy Psychic Barrier… Please Deploy Psychic Shields…" "That would have been great if I knew how to deploy either of those things." I huff as I shake my head. I need to progress my psychic studies before I unlock any more of the additional functions. In addition to that notification, I have another inviting me to the soiree that the Governor is hosting set to kick off in three days. I am not sure if this is a typical timeline or a generous one on the part of the governor to try and avoid angering Lord Drakios. "Hey Arianwyn you're going to the event down in Halo Alphos right?" I ping Arianwyn but notice she hasn't finished setting up her digital defenses from the homework I left her. "AHHH!? Wait what? Nicole how did you!?... Yes, I'm going. I'd like to visit the surface for a bit." Arianwyn seems startled by the direct message. "You haven't finished studying that packet I gave you for your implants," I say with disapproval in my tone. "I'm working on it! There's a lot to read! I've been busy." Arianwyn whines. "Fine, make sure you finish the tutorial I gave you before you go down! I will also be going. I wasn't sure if I wanted to or not but if you're going if it's boring we can just hang out." I respond playfully. "That's true… But I think we'll be fine. Someone would have to have no self-preservation and have the IQ of a lobotomized Ogryn to bother either of us." Arianwyn says with a chuckle. "Uh Oh… you jinxed it." I say before getting a ping from Master Xor. "Ah, I have to go. I'll probably see you in a few days when we shuttle down for the event. Bye!" Xor has set up the interrogation chamber and given me a link to one of the servo skulls that will be observing. Portions when he employs Venitorii techniques will be censored. When I tune in Xor has removed the top of the Heretek's skull off and started inserting several thin and slightly barbed probes directly into the squishy meat of his brain. There are thin wires connecting the brain to an unusual-looking cogitator, however the servo skull is locked in place so I can't turn to get a closer look. Several of the Heretek's cybernetics have already been removed and he has been physically riveted to the exam table. I doubt the Heretek will survive long after the information extraction process. The scene is gruesome and macabre. Xor casually flips a switch and little arcs of lightning slither down the wires and into the exposed brain causing the body to trash and twitch erratically. Xor leans over to examine a display and nods "Extraction progressing. Compiling data." I have seen enough and close the feed, it's little reminders like that that help me recall what universe I'm in. Thankfully my implants have emotional buffer systems that help me process trauma. Rather than dwell on those kinds of thoughts I opt for a hot bath, a nice meal, and then head to bed. The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. I get up the following morning and when I check in I realize Master Doll, Master Xor, and Magos Zeta are out hunting down the co-conspirators of the Heretek with prejudice. Magos Zeta is insistent on purging the second Heretek cell they uncovered personally. Having met the Magos in person I can tell he's a devout and loyal follower of the Omnissiah and allowing him to regain a portion of his honor is both a calculated and kind move on the part of Master Doll and Master Xor. The forge is still in use, but it's practically empty compared to the usual hustle. I have Master Doll's forge practically to myself. I assembled a couple of the Astartes Jump Packs with the parts set aside for me. As I am about to finish the set I glance over towards the material storage area. I look around slowly taking note of anyone who might be nearby. I set down my tools and meander my way over to the storage area. I pick up a few bits that I need to add two small weapon racks to the spot under my Jump Pack. While I am there I grab a few miscellaneous components and on my way out I grab a few pounds of deuterium and metallic hydrogen compounds. Just keeping one warhead around should be fine, just in case I need to introduce a Daemon and everything around it to the power of stellar fusion. I need to know how difficult the production process is anyway. —---------------------------------------------------- POV: Librarian Astrovas Astrovas looked down at his student. He had heard about her recent Daemonic encounter and was not surprised when she booked a longer-than-normal lesson with him. He had not anticipated her breaking through to the Iota threshold. "Crossing into Iota means you are officially a true Psyker. You should now be capable of external manifestations. I will walk you through some basic techniques from the primary disciplines. Do you have any preferences?" Astrovas asked as he grabbed his force sword and draped it across his lap. "Defensive techniques first, please." Nicole replied. Astrovas could sense the little Princeps was in a good mood, passively picking up empathic signals when her suppressor was off. He was curious but felt it was not for him to pry. "In that case, we will start with a basic telekinetic shield." His eyes were focused on Nicole as she summoned the force barrier on her second attempt. Her fine control was quite good but at her current power level, the shield wasn't particularly robust. She managed to perform the basic telepathy exercise but only just. Nicole did fine with the mental shielding technique and the basic divination technique. The simple pyromancy technique seemed to be beyond her at the moment but she did manage to summon a weak smite when he gave her the biomancy exercise. Astrovas frowned, drumming his fingers on the flat of his blade with a look of slight vexation on his face. "Is something wrong, Master Astrovas?" Nicole queried politely. "I've walked you through the five primary disciplines and I can say for certain you are not specialized in any of them. Your performance was adequate in all but pyromancy but none of them seem to be your forte. Which is quite unusual" He admitted as he considered Nicole. "Well, what about secondary disciplines?" Nicole asked and Astrovas froze. He had been so focused on the basics he had neglected the rarer and more esoteric disciplines. Astrovas looked at Nicole as a thought went through his head and he muttered "Could it be?" He stood up and rushed to collect a small object from nearby, returning to Nicole a few moments later. "Nicole, I want you to try and command this object to repair itself. Use whatever chant you feel will help you direct your powers." Astrovas said as he laid the simple broken vox-unit in front of her. It had some broken, disconnected wires and a few cracks in parts of the casing. Nicole gave Astrovas a considering look before she let out a small huff of amusement and raised one of her hands. "In the name of the Omnissiah, Machine, heal thyself!" The moment she spoke Nicole's body released a pulse of energy that focused into the vox-unit and before their eyes the object rippled, wires reknitting themselves, the cracks rippling as they pressed together and vanished, resealing the damaged casing. Nicole stared down at the object in surprise. "Master Astrovas, my implants have informed me I just cast an ability called 'Reforge'?" "Technomancy." Astrovas whispered eyes wide as he reached over and snatched up his personal Lorekeeper tome and started flipping pages until he found the entry titled 'Reforge' nestled in the middle of the small section on Iron Hands Technomancy. "Technomancy? That sounds perfect!" Nicole said with a giggle. Astrovas took a deep breath "Nicole, continue with your daily meditations. You can practice some of those chants if you feel up to it. I need to compile a new lesson plan for you. Technomancy techniques are rare and jealously guarded. However, I do have a selection of some that I will prepare for you." "Oh! Thank you Master Astrovas, will you be telling the other tutors about this too?" Nicole asked, tilting her head as she looked up at him. This text is hosted at ɴovelfire.net "Yes, I will take care of that and I will also inform the Archmagos and Captain Bolaar." Astrovas said as he kept his expression placid and calm. "Alright! Have a good day!" Nicole got up and scampered out of the meditation chamber after dismissing her. "Captain Bolaar, I have an important update. Nicole is a confirmed Technomancer." Astrovas voxed. "... Damn it." Bolaar replied with a sigh. "Captain?" Astrovas asked immediately, confused by the negative response. "HAHAHA! I knew it! I told you! You lost the bet, Bolaar!" Venerable Baldos yelled as he suddenly joined the conversation. "Bet? Ahem, Captain… I simply wanted permission to impart the chapter Technomancy techniques to Nicole." Astrovas got cut off. "Permission granted Astrovas… If you will excuse me I… have to go see if the Saturnine armour is ready for use." Bolaar stated flatly. "Oh, they're ready for you Brother. I asked Nicole to make sure of it. HAHAHA!" Baldos howled before he abruptly left the call. Astrovas sat back on his cushion and blinked as he left the call as well. Trying to picture the captain wearing Saturnine pattern terminator armor with his Iron Halo. He let out a small snort. —---------------------------------------------------------------- Lael huffed as she dropped down from the bar and wiped sweat from her brow as she finished her workout and went into her cooldown stretches. Recent experiences had pressed Lael to consider her situation. She was content with her role as Nicole's guardian. But when she took a look at her own efforts she had found herself lacking when compared to the Skitarii and Brother Silverwalker. Was it an entirely fair metric to measure herself? No. Did she care? Definitely not. Lael wiped herself off with a towel and headed over to her vault to inspect her gear. She had no issue with her Kalibrax V-I Pattern Lasrifle or her Auxilia Void Armor. Having spent enough time around Delta-A3 she had picked up a Skitarii Vanaheim-Pattern Assault Shotgun and her custom Bolt Pistol sidearm which was loaded with Kraken bolts. She left the ranged weapons in place aside from her pistol which she holstered on her hip and instead she pulled out her melee weaponry: The mastercraft Chainsword and the Thunder Hammer. She pulled out a cloth to carefully polish the golden Aquila on the head of the hammer and along the Aquila carved into the spine of the sword. She hefted both items and threw on some simple clothes as she headed for a more secluded part of the ship. Lael walked into the Temple-Shrine to the God Emperor and looked around. The candles flickering light tracing over the gold effigies to the Imperial Creed. There were few people inside, most of the ship was in a similar state at the moment. Her presence was not ignored as a robed man slowly approached her. "Hello, child of the Emperor, what brings you here?" asked Abbot Clovis Keel, the highest ranked Ministorum priest aboard the ship. "Hello, I was told that you may be able to assist me. I have weapons that require consecration." Lael replied politely. He looked Lael up and down noting her arm tattoos, the aquila pendant hanging from her neck and the weapons she had at her hips and across her back. "Mmm, As Abbot of this humble shrine I can indeed aid you. I will need to inspect the arms in question before performing the rites. Is this amenable to you, child?" "Of course, Abbot" Lael bowed her head politely and made the sign of the aquila across her chest. "Come." He turned and moved towards the main altar off to the side where a female Preacher was having a heated conversation with someone. Lael recognized the man vaguely, Sir Hyboras, or something. The annoying and whiny remembrancer. "Ah, ignore them. Lord Hyboras has been asking Preacher Peggi to help him with nightmares every other day now. He's not the only one with nightmares after that horrible rift appeared." The Abbot clicked his tongue in disapproval as the pair exited the shrine. "Please lay the items across the altar." He spoke softly as he unrolled a red cloth over the top of the golden altar and pulled out a censer of holy water. Lael stepped forward and gently laid out her chainsword and the hammer. Laying each weapon so that they were resting parallel to herself and the Abbot. "Put the bolter magazines up here too." Abbot told her after a moment of consideration and when she shot him a questioning look he waved her off. Lael added the magazines to the altar including the one that had been in her weapon. "That's all of it, Abbot." Lael stated as the Abbot inspected the items. "These are lovely blades, old patterns… crusade era?" He guessed. Lael nodded. "Indeed." "What do you need these items consecrated for?" The Abbot asked as he continued his inspection. "My charge was recently attacked by a Daemon. It was purged but it illuminated a weakness in my own capabilities that I wish to see rectified." Lael explained. The Abbot nodded. "A noble purpose. I see all the marks of devotion on you and your gear but I do not believe I've seen you here before. What does the Emperor mean to you, Lael?" the Abbot asked as he looked into her eyes. "The Emperor is the best of us, the peak of our kind. The great leader of humanity. One day I hope to lay my eyes upon him once more." Lael spoke fondly. Abbot Clovis stared hard at Lael "You've seen him?" clearly asking for clarification. Lael chuckled and smirked. "No amount of amnesia can make me forget it. I think it was just before the Epsiloid Binary campaign?" Lael looked down at one of her tattoos and squinted. "The parts before and after are still fuzzy. It was before Tempestus scooped me up… It was only a glimpse but he was… glorious. We followed him into hell and we thanked him for the privilege." Lael admitted wryly. "Hold that image in your mind and pray with me." The Abbot spoke with intensity as he went through the rites of consecration. "Our Emperor, bless these tools so that we may wield them in your name. Bless them so we, your children may serve as your divine instruments. Bless these arms that we may bring your light even unto the darkest corners of the galaxy. Ward them against the Daemon, the Heretic and the Mutant!" The Abbot opened his eyes as he felt something travel through him. A faint golden light radiated down onto the arrayed weapons on the Altar from where his hands held Lael's. The light sinking inside the implements before it faded. Lael's eyes were still closed but after the Abbot said nothing else she opened them and looked down "Is it done?" pulling her hands away from his. "Yes." he replied as he tried and failed to find the right words to explain the wondrous blessing that they had just performed. "We summoned a small miracle." "Thank you, Abbot. If you don't mind however, I have my own small, slightly mischievous miracle to go and guard." Lael said with an amused chuckle as she started to pack up the ammunition clips and gather her weapons. "Please, know you go with the Emperor's blessing. If you wish to return you are always welcome." He replied quickly. Lael nodded and left a donation for the shrine on her way out. Abbot Clovis slumped back and turned to look up at the shrine. He sighed and slowly stood up knowing his duty was not done. "I need to let the local Cannoness know about this."