MechanicusA tall Tech-Priest arrayed in extravagant red and black robes greets you solemnly, his mechadendrites moving sinuously around him. His garment is damaged in several places, and marks from weapons charges are visible on his augmetics, but he does not seem to care. "I extend greetings to Rogue Trader [Name] von Valancius. Your presence within this temple of promethium is a great honour to its denizens."
Mechanicus"Its denizens — servants of the Omnissiah — apologise for the unfitting reception due to the critical — interrupting — fracture of processes." The sound seems to drift softly from the Tech-Priest's vox-modulator, an almost lulling hum on a single note, lacking any inflection.
YOU"With whom am I speaking?"
Mechanicus"For the purpose of this conversation, I stand before you as Artisan Decabalus-4-16. I lead the Adeptus Mechanicus mission — servants of the Machine God — ensuring the operation of the sacred mining machines on this station. Further clarification..." The Tech-Priest pauses for a few seconds. His optical sensors slowly scan each of your retinue from top to bottom. "...is available — presentable in Low Gothic form — upon request. What interests Your Lordship/Ladyship at the observed station?"
YOU"Why are you talking so strangely?"
Mechanicus"Clarification of terms — or rephrasing — is intended to make the context of statements more easily understood by unordained individuals." Decabalus spreads his hands slightly. "Statistics — calculations performed by sacred machines — show that it has a positive effect on communication."
YOU"Why are you talking so strangely?"continues where this line first appears above
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Mechanicus"Confirmation: this thesis is true. The fact of cooperation is recorded in the archival logs with the following note: 'extremely high efficiency.'" The Artisan bows his head pensively. "Nevertheless, this experience is not relevant in this situation."
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YOU"Why are you talking so strangely?"continues where this line first appears above
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YOU"'Artisan'? I have never heard such a title before."
Mechanicus"Those among the Adeptus Mechanicus who are supremely competent in the sacred skill of construction are elevated to the rank of Artisan — maker of machines. Artisans are proficient enough to also be called 'the hand of the will of the Omnissiah.'" The Tech-Priest's bent back straightens at these words, and he seems to occupy more space, swelling with importance.
YOU"Why are you talking so strangely?"continues where this line first appears above
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YOU"'Artisan'? I have never heard such a title before."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That's enough about you. Let us return to the matter at hand."
Mechanicus"You are correct — your assessment is valid, Your Lordship/Ladyship. The time limit on our interaction is not infinite."
Mechanicus"A sabotage attempt — activity directed at halting promethium production — has been detected within the confines of the station. The perpetrators are Alva-9's group — ordained members of the priesthood of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Probable cause is violation of the Sixteen Universal Laws — tech-heresy infecting their cognitive centres."
YOU"Are there many of them? Who is their leader?"
Mechanicus"Exact numbers are undetermined — unknown. Head of the compromised cell: Senior Adept Alva-9 — she commands the Skitarii. The group's combat strength includes Ruststalkers and several mutinous Enginseers." Some of the workers behind Decabalus flinch and glance around nervously when they hear his response.
YOU"Are there many of them? Who is their leader?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I noticed several highly unusual mechanisms on my way here. Are they the heretics' creations?"
Mechanicus"I confirm the discovery of technologies not listed in the sacred standards on this platform. And I admire Your Lordship/Ladyship's knowledge of them. Access to further details is both denied and impossible, since the requesting layperson's rank is insufficient to establish communication." The Tech-Priest responds with the measured and unyielding nature of a soulless cogitator.
YOU"Are there many of them? Who is their leader?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I noticed several highly unusual mechanisms on my way here. Are they the heretics' creations?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do the heretics want?"
Mechanicus"Their goal is the destruction of the sacred central drill — the greatest of the station's technologies — by means of ripping out its anchor-core — the source of the Motive Force that powers our machines. Such inconceivable sacrilege — ruination of blessed technology — will have irreversible consequences that may lead to the disintegration of the sacred machine circuits and the sinking of the station."
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Mechanicus"The sinking of the station would cause a catastrophic decline in promethium extraction volumes — its complete cessation — which in turn would bring production to a halt. This outcome would be extremely — blasphemously — suboptimal. This scenario also suggests — guarantees — extensive collateral casualties among the human units currently ensuring the continuous operation of the Tirkuaz-4 facility — its workers. Such losses would be undesirable — and highly regrettable."
YOU"Are there many of them? Who is their leader?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I noticed several highly unusual mechanisms on my way here. Are they the heretics' creations?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do the heretics want?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you lingering here instead of fighting?"
Mechanicus"To our grief, the enemy forces have a qualitative superiority — they command large numbers of specialised Skitarii. This has allowed them to inflict major damage upon the righteous forces — our group — and divide it. The enemy has planted mines along the approaches to the central unit and has cut us off from our allies, making the mission to eliminate the threat difficult. The only factor that can alter the situation is intervention from a third party — Your Lordship/Ladyship."
YOU"Intervene? Of course I will intervene. The heretics will be destroyed."
Mechanicus"Your Lordship/Ladyship is granting us a boon whose value is difficult to calculate — to measure in rewards and gratitude." The Tech-Priest bows slightly.
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YOU"First, I shall have a proper look around here."
Mechanicus"May the Omnissiah keep you from harm." The Tech-Priest bows slightly.
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YOU"Why are you lingering here instead of fighting?"continues where this line first appears above
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Solomorne"An interesting way of evading awkward questions. The most notorious bribe-takers often cower behind their status and regalia — and they always have something to hide. Artisan, you are clearly not telling the truth." Solomorne delivers this provocation in a dry, matter-of-fact tone.
Mechanicus"No violations of the established Imperial Tithe collection procedure have been recorded in at least the last ten iterations of the production cycle. There have also been no violations of the production facilities' operating conditions." If Decabalus has noticed the Arbitrator's inspection, he does not reveal it.
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YOU"What do the heretics want?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you lingering here instead of fighting?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I noticed several highly unusual mechanisms on my way here. Are they the heretics' creations?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do the heretics want?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you lingering here instead of fighting?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That's enough about you. Let us return to the matter at hand."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"'Artisan'? I have never heard such a title before."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That's enough about you. Let us return to the matter at hand."continues where this line first appears above
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YOU"'Artisan'? I have never heard such a title before."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That's enough about you. Let us return to the matter at hand."continues where this line first appears above
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YOU"What happened here? Why has promethium extraction stopped?"
Mechanicus"A sabotage attempt — activity directed at halting promethium production — has been detected within the confines of the station. The perpetrators are Alva-9's group — ordained members of the priesthood of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Probable cause is violation of the Sixteen Universal Laws — tech-heresy infecting their cognitive centres."continues where this line first appears above