MechanicusDecabalus's optical sensor lumens flare for a second, before fading away completely. Without a sound, the Tech-Priest, clearly resigned to the demise of himself and everything he treasures, walks over to the machine and begins extracting the bizarre mechanism, which he then hands to you.
end of branch
Entry point 3 of 4
Mechanicus"By order of Artisan Decabalus 4-16, removal, relocation, or other manipulation of the anchor-core is prohibited. Prohibition level: highest. Access for layperson [Name] von Valancius: restricted. Lord Captain, you are advised to leave the station."
end of branch
Entry point 4 of 4
MechanicusDecabalus, after finishing issuing final instructions to his subordinates, approaches you. "Lord Captain, I determine your actions — your aid in prevailing over the hereteks — to be highly effective. Please accept my incalculable gratitude for your assistance in resolving the confusion — this sabotage."
YOU"I regret that the matter ended in the deaths of your comrades."
Mechanicus"Is Your Lordship/Ladyship referring to Alva-9 — the enemy commander? Regrets are unwarranted. The functionality of the cog in the grand machine of the Omnissiah will be partially restored by creating a servo-skull of a suitable construction. I will process the remains and turn them into a servant of the Machine God. This is sufficient for an adept incapable of distinguishing the Omnissiah's Truth from heresy."
YOU"I regret that the matter ended in the deaths of your comrades."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So the modifications to the machines here, that is your doing?"
MechanicusAfter a brief pause, the Tech-Priest begins to speak: "This statement is true. I laid the Artisan's hand upon many machines on this platform. The alterations to the sacred circuits have increased the productivity of the main mining units by one hundred and fifty-three... correction, one hundred and fifty-four percent — a considerable margin."
YOU"You deceived me, malatek."
Mechanicus"Your reasoning is partially false. Deception of the Lord Captain was not the purpose of our previous conversation — our request for assistance. The objective was to ensure that the drill complexes remained operational with minimal expenditure of resources — to save sacred technologies and station workers. Now that this objective has been achieved, I am prepared to disclose more complete — more closely guarded — information."
YOU"You deceived me, malatek."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"These upgrades are based on xenotech, aren't they?"
Mechanicus"One of the Universal Laws states, 'The Knowledge of the ancients stands beyond question.' The sacred mechanisms of this station are based on covenants granted by the Omnissiah to His servants after long and persistent searching." Decabalus gives you a hard, scrutinising look. "Opposing interpretations of their origins — philosophical contentions — are inevitable, but the increased output of the promethium platforms is an indisputable fact."
YOU"You deceived me, malatek."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"These upgrades are based on xenotech, aren't they?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you intend to do now?"
Mechanicus"The Quest for Knowledge — the mission in the name of the Machine God — will continue. The list of implemented enhancements will be expanded after the current series of experiments is complete."
YOU"You deceived me, malatek."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"These upgrades are based on xenotech, aren't they?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you intend to do now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no other questions."
MechanicusThe Tech-Priest nods. "I await the continuation of this stimulating conversation — and your new statements."
YOU"I regret that the matter ended in the deaths of your comrades."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So the modifications to the machines here, that is your doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's so valuable about this complex?"
Mechanicus"The mechanism within it — the anchor-core — embodies the unique knowledge granted by the Omnissiah. It has increased the productivity of the main mining units by one hundred and fifty-three— correction, one hundred and fifty-four percent."
YOU"That sounds most mysterious. I would like to know more."
Mechanicus"One of the Universal Laws states, 'The Knowledge of the ancients stands beyond question.' The Omnissiah has blessed me — an Artisan — by allowing knowledge from external sources to be turned to the benefit of Humanity. Theological debate is inevitable in this matter, but the increased output of the promethium platforms is an indisputable fact."
YOU"That sounds most mysterious. I would like to know more."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Alva-9 tried to destroy the drilling complex. Why?"
Mechanicus"One potential cause is a malfunction in the cognitive matrices — thought processes — causing Adept Alva-9 to incorrectly interpret the origins of the upgraded anchor-core — condemn it as devoid of sanctity. The destruction of sacred machines is a violation of all Sixteen Universal Laws. Alva-9's fate is a logical consequence."
YOU"That sounds most mysterious. I would like to know more."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Alva-9 tried to destroy the drilling complex. Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stop evading! Alva-9 has figured it all out — you used xenotech to forge the anchor-core!"
Mechanicus"Service to the Omnissiah often manifests in ways beyond the comprehension of those not ordained into the Adeptus Mechanicus." Decabalus betrays no sign of confusion or anxiety, yet an unpleasant rasp creeps into the overtones of his voice. "For the sub-faction of the Cult Mechanicus that I represent, researching xenotech aligns with our interpretation of the Sixteen Universal Laws."
YOU"That sounds most mysterious. I would like to know more."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Alva-9 tried to destroy the drilling complex. Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stop evading! Alva-9 has figured it all out — you used xenotech to forge the anchor-core!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you intend to do now?"
Mechanicus"The Quest for Knowledge — the mission in the name of the Machine God — will continue. The list of implemented enhancements will be expanded after the current series of experiments is complete."
YOU"That sounds most mysterious. I would like to know more."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Alva-9 tried to destroy the drilling complex. Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stop evading! Alva-9 has figured it all out — you used xenotech to forge the anchor-core!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you intend to do now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no other questions."
MechanicusThe Tech-Priest nods. "I await the continuation of this stimulating conversation — and your new statements."
YOU"I regret that the matter ended in the deaths of your comrades."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So the modifications to the machines here, that is your doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's so valuable about this complex?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Now that the problem has been resolved, let's talk about future prospects."
Mechanicus"Prospects — predicted scenarios — are assessed with moderate optimism. Promethium supplies to Altar-Templum Station will be restored as soon as possible. I also request that Your Lordship/Ladyship accept this gift as an expression of gratitude — material reinforcement — for your assistance." At a gesture from Decabalus, two Enginseers present you with a lavishly adorned augment.
YOU"This is not enough. I need the anchor-core."
MechanicusYour words leave the Tech-Priest flustered. "Lord Captain, I am compelled to ask — rhetorically verify — if you fully realise the consequences of such a decision. The station will be irrevocably destroyed along with its entire population."
YOU"The anchor-core, I said. Now."
YOU"Never mind. It was a fleeting whim."
Mechanicus"Lord Captain, your decision is assessed as extremely prudent — the safest. The station will continue to operate as normal."
YOU"This is not enough. I need the anchor-core."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you for the generous gift. I must return to my flagship."
MechanicusThe Tech-Priest inclines his head in farewell, accompanying the gesture with a short binharic phrase.
end of branch
YOU"Hmm. Rather meagre, but it will do."
MechanicusThe Tech-Priest inclines his head in farewell, accompanying the gesture with a short binharic phrase.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you for the generous gift. I must return to my flagship."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hmm. Rather meagre, but it will do."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no other questions."continues where this line first appears above
Mechanicus(sequence)
Pasqal"The results of visual diagnostics on the central platform confirm the use of unauthorised technologies by the unit Artisan Decabalus 4-04. I insist on the immediate confiscation of the platform's anchor-core for the purpose of conclusively establishing its xenoheretical origins."
end of branch
YOU"What do you intend to do now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no other questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stop evading! Alva-9 has figured it all out — you used xenotech to forge the anchor-core!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you intend to do now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no other questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Alva-9 tried to destroy the drilling complex. Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stop evading! Alva-9 has figured it all out — you used xenotech to forge the anchor-core!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you intend to do now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no other questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Now that the problem has been resolved, let's talk about future prospects."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no other questions."continues where this line first appears above
Mechanicus(sequence)
Marazhai"To put it simply, yes, the technology of other races is used here, but you are not meant to know." Marazhai does not lift his mocking gaze from the Tech-Priest. "Sometimes I'm amazed at how primitive the art of deception is among the mon-keigh. Just a few esoteric words, a hint of mystery, and any threadbare lie can inspire fear and awe."
end of branch
YOU"What do you intend to do now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no other questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"These upgrades are based on xenotech, aren't they?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you intend to do now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no other questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's so valuable about this complex?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Now that the problem has been resolved, let's talk about future prospects."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So the modifications to the machines here, that is your doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's so valuable about this complex?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Now that the problem has been resolved, let's talk about future prospects."continues where this line first appears above