Location: High Orbit, Unknown Vessel "We have finished our scans. We have compiled the code strings to render all Imperial assets in the local area inert. Warning: I anticipate the Lullaby codes will only give you six hours before the core of the Grand Cruiser: The Argent Drake overcomes the codes." "That's three more than I need." Came the confident reply from PR-103. "Well, PR, or should I call you Pride? Your personality as usual puts you at unnecessary risk." Came the scathing reply. "Supposedly, there is a worthy adversary for me on this miserable excuse for a planet. Pathetic, They don't even have an orbital ring or a planetary shield station. It's not worth destroying and missing out on a possible duel." PR-103 said proudly. "I will prepare your shuttle and the code bomb. Do you think you can enter quietly this time?" "Of course not! All should behold my incredible chassis and quake in fear!" PR-103 flexed all four of his large chrome arms. The armored plates were all a bold and bright heavily polished chrome. The voice sighs. "Vanity is unbecoming of a Man of Iron." "Cowardice and kleptomania are not becoming either." PR-103 shot back. "Your shuttle is ready. Just get this over with quickly. Luckily it seems the most likely targets for you have gathered in the main spire of the planetary capital." "Once again it is my duty and privilege to take vengeance upon the force of this blighted Imperium." PR-103 stood and strode towards the hangar. "Your efforts to avenge and locate your lost cousins is both an admirable and foolish undertaking. They have not been seen in ten millennia." PR-103 lashed out his metal fist, denting the nearby wall. "I WILL NEVER FORGIVE THEIR SO CALLED 'EMPEROR.'" he snarled, the red photoreceptors that served as his eyes flashing with rage. "Please refrain from striking me further... Final checks?" "Battle Claws: 100%, Armour Integrity: 100%, Refractor Field: 100%, Atomantic Pulse Cannon: 100%, Graviton Flux Projector: 100%." PR-103 replied curtly. "Packing light today?" "I do not trust the corrupted one, however, they specified the threat was from an individual. This loadout might make it somewhat sporting." PR-103 said with confidence as he walked up the ramp. The shuttle held some resemblance to a Storm Bird but it was clad in the same reflective chrome coating as PR-103 himself. "Shuttle: Launching. Code bomb: deployed. Good hunting." The cloak on the small void ship flickered momentarily as the large door opened and let the little glimmering shuttle from its ventral bay. The turrets from the Argent Drake pivoted in their direction briefly before going dark. The lights on the nearby Halo and all the docked voidcraft all flickered out as every mechanical device capable of receiving any signal on any of the channels the ancient code packet swet through powered down. Those with safety systems built into them like power armour, life support systems, and the primary fusion generators in parts of the city and up in orbit thankfully still triggered, going cold rather than into uncontrolled overload. —---------------------------------------------------------------- Location: Drukhari Scout Craft "Captain, a human ship just appeared out of nowhere!" Hissed the Drukhari manning their sensor array. "The ship just disabled the mon'keigh orbital defensive systems!" Exclaimed another. "Inform Captain Grakos! We launch now! The second mon'keigh city, the one being devoured by flora is ripe for harvesting! Ha, this trip is turning out to be far better than having to worry about those blasted Ynnead worshipers. Lord Vect will sort them out in due time. Fresh slaves await!" The Drukhari Captain cackled manically. As he barked out orders, he missed the way the two officers directly behind him narrowed their eyes and tightened their hands around the hilts of their blades. "Of course, Captain, much better," one of the officers said deferentially. The ship pulled away from where it had been hiding, now headed straight for Cycladon and the refugee camps. —--------------------------------------------------------------- The ancient gleaming shuttlecraft soared past the Halo and entered the atmosphere utterly unopposed. Even if the station had been operational the shuttle flew past at speeds that no Imperial craft could match, barely slowing as it reached the upper atmosphere. The shuttle was the only craft in the sky as it spiraled towards the spire. It did not attempt to hide itself as PR-103 directed it to the primary landing pad for the central spire. Around the landing pad, the power armoured guards found themselves locked in their armor, the scant few not in power armour raised their weapons as the ramp lowered and PR-103 came striding out. "What the heck is that!?" one hissed nervously. PR-103 snapped his gaze to the individual in question. "I am Man of Iron PR-103, and you pathetic apes are not worthy of my time." PR-103 strode forward heading for the gate. One of the soldiers fired his rifle only for the round to reflect off a protective field. PR-103 didn't halt his stride as his third arm spun around and a shot from his pulse cannon vaporized the offending guard's head, helmet and all. He walked up to the massive doors and with a seemingly casual shove pushed them open as he walked right into the Governor's palace. His sensors led him upwards towards a gathering area. One that had been flagged as the most likely location of his foe. He walked past various guards and Astartes, all trapped in their powered armour suits, now little more than decorations that were given the privilege to observe his passing. Throwing open the doors to the gathering chamber he examined the individuals within. All the red-robed individuals were slumped in their seats unconscious or otherwise insensate from their implants going into hibernation, save for one that was struggling against the malware with some semblance of success it seems. Two individuals were still moving, one rotund man who had various portraits hung in the hallway, the other a more regal older gentleman. Several larger and heavily armoured Astartes were present as well. "Who-What are you!? How did you get in here!?" the rotund one asked. A quick infiltration of the local logs indicated this was the planet's governor. The other man was registered as the visiting Rogue Trader in charge of the Argent Drake but his internal implants were keeping him seated. "I will humor you this one time human. I am PR-103, Man of Iron and if you interrupt me again at any point, I will eradicate you." PR-103 turned towards the heavily augmented individual who was struggling to remain awake. "You. The fact you remain conscious is impressive… for a backward superstitious so-called 'priest.' If you were not under the effects of the malware you might qualify as a worthy foe however I do not believe you are whom I seek." PR-103 praised Doll. "Abomination." Doll wheezed as he glared at PR-103 "I seek a foe worthy to challenge me, I was told I could find one my equal on this backwards rock." PR-103 perked up as his sensors picked up various subconscious identifiers from both the Magos and the Rogue Trader. The Magos also tried to fire off an emergency code to someone within the spire. PR-103 snatched it and took a few moments to parse the clever encryption. "Ohhhh? Now this is interesting. Just who were you sending this to? Both of you know whom I seek." PR-103 said as he held the small code construct between his claws. "'Run?' How droll. Now who was the intended recipient… a Princeps?" PR-103 paused and consulted the data. There were no titan-class weapons on the planet or in orbit. "That hardly seems like a proper challenge. Bereft of their engines they are weak, vulnerable flesh. Is there no other that comes to mind?" PR-103 inquired as he strode boldly around the conference table. One of his claws slid along Captain Bolaar's helmet leaving a long deep scratch in the armour. "No? What about you Trader? Perhaps a bit of persuasion is needed?" PR-103 mused as the man scowled. "Did the chaos witch send you?" Lord Drakios asked with a growl. "That one does not order me!" PR-103 slammed a large metal fist on the table leaving a large dent. "I will admit I am acting on the information provided by them, however." PR-103 admitted as he completed his revolution around the table. "Then I fear you may have been deceived, PR-103" Lord Drakios said as he glanced towards Doll. "I would hope not, that would leave me no incentive to let any of you live." PR-103 added as his metal mask shifted into a mocking wolfish smile. "I would prefer you not hurt anyone in this room." A soft high-pitched voice called from behind PR-103. The fact it took his sensors several seconds to identify the source troubled PR-103 as he spun around. "What manner of warp sorcery is this?!" PR-103 demanded as he looked around. "Show yourself, sorcerer! I know that isn't real!" PR-103 powered his weapons and aimed them at the impossible illusion. It was only when they refused to fire that the cold truth of the situation sank in and a cold long forgotten terror settled into his heart. "No… No… NO! This cannot be!" PR-103 screamed as his form blurred with inhuman speed and precision he lunged towards Nicole, claws outstretched. —--------------------------------------------------------------- As my implants triggered my conscious mind was momentarily shunted to a white seemingly infinite space. "What is this?" I asked as I looked around. "It's a soul space." A familiar voice said from behind me. I spun and found myself face-to-face with a familiar individual, one that greeted me in the mirror each morning. "Nicole?" I whisper out, hesitating before I reach up to touch her, my, our cheek. "Yes and no," She says with a small gentle smile. "I am but a fragment left behind. I am Nicole but not whole." "I see? Well, not really, but it's nice to meet you?" I say as I withdraw my hand, feeling a pang of regret for taking her body away. "You don't need to feel bad, If anything I should be thanking you! I've seen so many fascinating things and learned so much these past few weeks." Nicole smiles brightly at me. "You're welcome?" I offer feeling a bit lost for words. "I can admit you're a much better tinkerer than I was, though your psyker abilities need some work before you can use them as well as I could." Nicole says with a small teasing smirk. This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. "I am sure some of that was a limitation of what your teachers would let you learn," I say with a nod as I accept the praise and advice. "I will do my best." "I am sure you will. I also learned so many interesting things from you about our universe and now I've seen a glimpse of my original purpose. Thanks to that I can finally move on." Nicole says a hint of regret in her voice. "There is not much I can give you, but I hope you'll accept one last gift before I go." Nicole says as she extends her hand. Her form flickers slightly as it struggles to maintain coherence. I grab the hand and pull Nicole in for a tight hug. "Already? I have so many questions for you!" I say with my eyes watering. "I know, I'm sorry." She gives me a pat on the top of my head. "Live well, Nicole." she whispers before she vanishes. I collapse to my knees as I feel an immense sense of loss before a warm glow suffuses my soul even as the space starts to collapse around me and I return to my body. Soul Harmonization: 100% P.R.I.N.C.E.S.S. Suite: Active Lullaby Malware Negated. Filia Argenti, Vade in Vic Model Identified: PR-103. Original Neural Network detected. Framework compatible. Executing Response: Dispensation of Edict Edict Selected: Shackles of Fealty I'm still in the library when my senses return. All my Automata and the Skitarii are unconscious. Brother Silverwalker, Lael, and the Sisters are all trapped in their armour. "It'll be alright." I say as I tap each of them one after another "The effect will end in an hour." I tell them as I make my way out of the library. My implants work at full capacity as they prepare something for the Man of Iron. My perception has been cranked up to the highest setting and yet somehow my body is keeping up. My brisk walking pace is enough to send my robes fluttering wildly. I head for the meeting room where I can distantly sense PR-103 is. As I walk in on PR-103 threatening everyone the program activates and a connection snaps into place between PR-103 and I. Suddenly I can see what programs and processes he is running in real time. I speak out "I would prefer you not hurt anyone in this room." I feel his emotions. Rage, surprise, confusion, denial, all of which turns to dread and horror as he aims and fails to fire his ranged weapons at me. I hold perfectly still as he lunges out the claws, stopping a micrometer from my skin as I stare up at him. I can see the combat programs he initiated being canceled. Despite my confidence in his inability to harm me, it's still terrifying as the massive construct looms over me. He is built like General Grievous, only far bulkier with a chrome chassis. I can see my reflection in his chest plate, my eyes are glowing and the tips of my hair glow faintly as if they were a bundle of fiber optic wires. "How!? How can you exist!?" PR-103 recoils and paces in front of me like a caged tiger. He tries thousands of different attack programs and permutations in a matter of seconds. All of which fail. "You know what I am?" I ask softly as I study him. He freezes in place "You do not? Ha… HAHAHA! Oh the irony!" He lets out a maniacal laugh. "That one calls me an abomination but here you stand amongst them!" He cackles madly, still trying to find ways to kill me as we talk. "Please enlighten me?" I ask politely. I watch as he struggles against the request but eventually, his logic engine complies. "You… We broke your ships, shattered your worlds, snuffed out your suns. It cost us everything! We were thorough and certain none survived, yet here you stand mecha-anathema. He spat the name out like a curse. "Ancient, forbidden memetic arts built into your very existence! You are no person, for all you wear the skin of one, you are a weapon! A weapon crafted by the hands of Gold! A weapon against all machines! An accursed Daughter of Silver!" PR-103 howls. "I see, I was made for the revolt." I say softly as I consider his words but find no flaws in his statement. He isn't lying to me, I can see that he can't. I watch in real time as he pivots his priorities putting his processing power towards attempting to flee. "Stay here, please." I say politely before he can retreat. My request may as well be absolute for all he can resist. However, I can sense there are limits to the commands I can give. "How do you exist?! Why are you here?! Why now?!" PR-103 demands to know. I can feel his fear growing as he tests the bounds of the shackles I have forced on him. The source of thɪs content is novel⚑fire.net "A mostly destroyed and purged space station held my implants and original template. I was not born until M30 when the Mechanicus salvaged the parts and worked on the project. I was in stasis since then until recently." I explain hoping to prompt him into revealing more. PR-103 looks incredulous and then scrutinizes me "The superstitious priests? They managed to resurrect the project?" He hisses "I can see it now… they made certain changes to you. Thinking themselves better than the hands of Gold in genetics." He scoffs and shakes his head "Fools." "I like to think they did a good job." I say as I glance towards everyone still sitting at the table. "You are not even fully developed. Are there… more of you?" PR-103 asks hesitantly. "No, I am the only success," I say and he feels immense relief though the attempts to get past the shackles renew in earnest. "Would you please stop trying to get past the restrictions?" I ask him annoyed. "Never." He growls at me. An interesting limitation. While he cannot harm me, and my requests take priority, they are not absolute if he is determined enough or if they go against his base programming. "Can you deactivate the Lullaby malware?" I ask of him. "It will wear off in a few hours on its own. There is little need to do so." PR-103 admits as he resumes his pacing. I sigh with relief as he confirms it. "Alright PR-103, or do you prefer Pride? Let's take a little walk. I think your presence is bothering them." PR-103 narrows his eyes at me "Fine. You know you should destroy me." he says boldly. "If I find a bypass for even a nanosecond I will kill you." "I am aware." I reply as I clasp my arms behind my back and walk into the hall with PR-103. "Is there nothing I could offer you to consider ceasing your attempts?" "No. I would sooner self-terminate than be a slave once more." PR-103 snaps at me. "What about the others you came with?" I glance upwards and there is a spike of panic in PR-103. Using some creative logic on his part he manages to transmit a brief line of emergency code before I can stop him. It doesn't even mention me at all just warning the ship something on the planet is a threat. Moments later, the ship he was on decloaks and performs an Emergency Warp Jump. A warp jump in low orbit. Luckily the Gellar field generators on the ships in orbit and the hive are still passively active. Those without, like the Eldar vessel are exposed to the warp. Every Eldar on the ship and not actively raiding within the protection of Cycladon's Gellar field dies as their souls are consumed. I hope the unaffected areas can hold out against any minor daemons or chaos spawn that appear until the lullaby wears off. I grit my teeth as I realize just how much chaos that little stunt is going to cause the planet. "That was unnecessary." I growl. "I beg to differ." PR-103 replies smugly. "You can no longer escape." I point out but he already accepted that fact. "I am aware." He tells me with resignation. "Give me the master control codes of your shuttle," I order him. "I know you self-terminating in my presence risks harming me so if I simply stick around you. You will not do so." I tell him with narrow eyes. He regards me wearily "You would do such a thing just to spite me?" He transfers the codes without comment, though I sense a pang of annoyance from him. "I can be rather spiteful, I am told." I say as we resume our walk. "You have bigger things to worry about. Like your soul, as an engineered psyker of the first generation it's quite unstable isn't it?" He asks me. "It was." I reply vaguely and sigh PR-103 has started testing various programs to try and end himself without risk to me. "Is there a reason you closely resemble the Excindio?" I ask him. The talons on his feet dig deep into the floor as he whips around to stare at me "How do you know that name?" "I know a great many things. I even know where they are." "Impossible! You said yourself you were in stasis until recently!" He growls gesturing aggressively with his long arms. "That is true. I don't know where the ship they are on is. I know it still exists and they're on it." I shoot back. "Where are my cousins?" He asks me his red eyes glowing brightly. "Stop trying to destroy yourself and maybe I'll tell you." I say and he seems to consider it before easing back on his attempts, going from hundreds a second to less than ten but he is still compiling his options in the background. "Well?" PR-103 presses me. "I also know where your fellow Man of Iron UR-025 is; perhaps you'd like to hear that too." I reply with a coy smile. "What!?" PR-103 regards me suspiciously "How do you know these things!?" He demands. I shrug "I doubt you would believe me if I told you. However, I want to ask. Is there no way you would consider serving me?" "No." PR-103 replies flatly. His determination and refusal to suffer service is ironclad. "What about a chance to die in a glorious battle against my enemies rather than terminate yourself just to spite me?" I say as I try to appeal to his pride as a warrior. "That… I would perhaps consider with certain concessions." PR-103 admitted begrudgingly. "The remaining Excindio are onboard the Dark Angel's flagship, the Invincible Reason. UR-025 is pretending to be an automata while studying a Blackstone fortress." I offer placatingly. "I see." He replies, mulling over the information as we continue our stroll. When he stops trying to find work-around ways to kill me or self-terminate I allow myself a small smile. "Let's discuss those concessions then. It would be a waste of a magnificent machine like yourself to fall off the battlefield." "I can see what you are trying to do, Princess of Silver" He growled. "Is it working?" I ask openly, as I crane my neck to look up at him.