Nomos"///You called yourself the Lord Captain and demanded that we start the engine. We did."
end of branch
Entry point 2 of 2
NomosDespite the resounding hum of the Tech-Priests' words of prayer, the bridge feels unusually quiet. All sound sinks into the viscous silence like pebbles sinking into water.
Pasqal"[Name], my tech-comrades have spent the assigned number of cycles in prayer and vigil. Everything is prepared for the complementa-ritual of cleansing. Its commencement will require an authorisation key in the form of the blood of a von Valancius. If you are ready, place a hand into the cybergargoyle's receiving module."
YOU"Remind me, what is it we intend to do here?"
Pasqal"The complementa-ritual will conclude the long effort of determining the unknown entity whose influence we have observed through various extraordinarities within the ship's systems. In the event that this entity is classified as tech-heretical, the ritual will help us banish it from the ship. If the entity is not classified as such, we will attempt to make contact with it."
YOU"Remind me, what is it we intend to do here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is the crew?"
IH-630"All personnel whose function is below critical have been removed for the duration of the sacred ritual."
YOU"Remind me, what is it we intend to do here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is the crew?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do you have at least a vague idea of what the problem is or what we might encounter?"
PasqalPasqal freezes momentarily. When he starts speaking again, you can tell how carefully and hesitantly he is choosing his words — a sight most uncharacteristic of Magos Haneumann. "The bounds of possibility are vast. We cannot be certain what we are dealing with until the calculations are complete. However, there exists a risk that all that we have observed here on this ship are manifestations of Abominable Intelligence."
YOU"Remind me, what is it we intend to do here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is the crew?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do you have at least a vague idea of what the problem is or what we might encounter?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is Abominable Intelligence?"
PasqalPasqal's voice sounds hollow and seems to carry echoes of cannonades of the distant past. "A transgression. A sentient mechanism created by human hands but no longer needing its masters. A rebelling machine spirit that has forgotten the will of the Omnissiah who sent it to serve and aid Humanity, not to exist for its own sake."
Pasqal"Only once before did our ancestors underestimate the menace that is Abominable Intelligence and its terrible power. A great war followed, one that Humanity nearly lost. After that calamity, the creation of sentient machines was categorically forbidden, and any such abomination without exception must now face deconstruction."
YOU"Remind me, what is it we intend to do here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is the crew?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do you have at least a vague idea of what the problem is or what we might encounter?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is Abominable Intelligence?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Put your hand inside the cybergargoyle's mouth] "I am ready."
NomosThe familiar cold metal burns your palm. This time, however, the servitor's jaws, instead of brutally clamping down on your hand, merely squeeze it slightly. You feel a thin rivulet of hot blood beginning where the metal fangs have pierced your skin.
NomosScreeches and growls slowly rise from the bowels of the massive cogitator as if a great beast is stirring awake. The vid-screens in front of you flicker restlessly.
NomosSuddenly, the viscous silence of the bridge rushes toward you and wraps you in a tight cocoon. The glow of the vid-screens dims, but the symbols on them flare to life: "///nom_OS ANALYSING Hypoth.: Intrusion. ///nom_OS ANALYSING Hypoth.: Lockout. ///nom_OS ANALYSING Concl.: Prevention. ///nom_OS sad."
YOU"Pasqal, what is going on?"
Pasqal"The complementa-ritual is proceeding as inten—"
NomosPasqal's voice cuts off abruptly. He brings a hand to his vox-communicator in surprise.
Nomos"///Nomos are here. Nomos have long been here. Why are we here?"
YOU"What are you?"
Nomos"///Nomos. We are Nomos."
YOU"What are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"But what is Nomos?"
Nomos"///No data available. No answer. We want to know too."
YOU"What are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"But what is Nomos?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you a machine spirit?"
Nomos"///Nomos do not know. Nomos do not know themselves."
YOU"What are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"But what is Nomos?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you a machine spirit?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Did you silence Pasqal?"
Nomos"///Nomos wanted no disturbance. Only quiet."
YOU"Can you render other people silent too?"
Nomos"///Sometimes. Some people. Nomos can do many things. We do not always know what or how. We did not know we could make silence until now."
YOU"Can you render other people silent too?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Make it stop. Now."
PasqalPasqal's vox-caster comes alive with an exclamation: "Extraordinary!"
PasqalThe Tech-Priest pauses upon realising that he can speak aloud again. Then he continues in a strangely quivering voice: "Extraordinary transmission jamming. Unknown protocols. What has been revealed to me? Is it the Omnissiah's glory or foul tech-heresy? I must... I would like to..."
YOU"What are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"But what is Nomos?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you a machine spirit?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Did you silence Pasqal?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You're hurting me."
Nomos"///You are hurting us."
YOU"What are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"But what is Nomos?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you a machine spirit?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Did you silence Pasqal?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You're hurting me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"In what way am I hurting you?"
Nomos"///Persecution. Intrusion. Everywhere. At every corner. Cutoffs. Displacement. Banishment?"
YOU"What are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"But what is Nomos?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you a machine spirit?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Did you silence Pasqal?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You're hurting me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"In what way am I hurting you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon with your free hand and attack the cogitator]
NomosThe wound on the massive machine's body explodes in a cascade of sparks. However, the servitor's jaws do not loosen, nor do the vid-screens dim.
Nomos"///Nomos do not understand. What do you want?"
YOU"What are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"But what is Nomos?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you a machine spirit?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Did you silence Pasqal?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You're hurting me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"In what way am I hurting you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon with your free hand and attack the cogitator]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you want from us, Nomos? Are you friend or foe?"
NomosThe vid-screens blink in thought, signifying a pause in the conversation. Then one of them displays: "///Nomos von Valancius. We are your blood."
Nomos"///Nomos are a sentinel. We awoke when the strange light invaded the ship. We protected you when you needed help. We escorted you when you were surrounded by danger."
Nomos"///Nomos are movement. We carry you through the frightening, the waiting, the measureless. We helped when our ailing heart was refusing to awaken."
Nomos"///You asked for rescue. We did as you asked."
Nomos(sequence)
Pasqal"The warp engine activation against all probability during our escape from the Rykad System. The Category Three miracle manifested by the ship's machine spirit! And the part about protecting... Was it during the cultist attack?"
end of branch
Nomos"///We did everything to please you. Why?"
NomosThe silence on the bridge grows especially deep, almost painful. The haze of light around you thickens to the point of becoming practically tangible. Numbers ripple across all the vid-screens at once. "///Why do you fear us now?"
YOU"I do not fear you. I am trying to understand you."
NomosShivers run up your hand, which is still trapped inside the cybergargoyle's jaws. The servitor nods its head a few times, as if it is... shaking your hand. Its teeth rake your already wounded flesh. "///Nomos are glad. Nomos enjoy understanding too."
YOU"Let's start by clearing certain things up. Were you the one responsible for the ship's malfunctions? And what about the strange entries in the ship's log?"
Nomos"///Yes, Nomos did that. Are you angry? We only wanted to understand. To see how things worked."
YOU"Let's start by clearing certain things up. Were you the one responsible for the ship's malfunctions? And what about the strange entries in the ship's log?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Pasqal, what is your take on this? Is this entity a benevolent machine spirit or a monster?"
PasqalPasqal hesitates again. You notice his hands shaking as he types, "Unclear. Data insufficient. The possibilities are too..." He stops, erases the word he was about to type, then frowns.
PasqalWhen Pasqal starts typing again, a strange expression appears on his face.
Pasqal"Understanding the essence of the entity Nomos is beyond my reach at present. The hypothesis spectrum ranges from the extreme of 'Abominable Intelligence' to the extreme of 'the great spirit is the Omnissiah's apostle.' The rite of tech-communion appears to be a reasonable solution. The rite will take many cycles, but it will allow me to come closer to identifying the entity and making contact with it."
YOU"Let's start by clearing certain things up. Were you the one responsible for the ship's malfunctions? And what about the strange entries in the ship's log?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Pasqal, what is your take on this? Is this entity a benevolent machine spirit or a monster?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What else can you do?"
Nomos"///Nomos learn. Nomos try new things. Do you want to see?" The cybergargoyle slowly turns its head, dragging your hand along with it. The skull's eyes flash red.
NomosThe scarlet gaze falls upon one of the monotonously chanting junior technomats. You blink — and an electric discharge erupts from inside the technomat's skull. The crimson-clad figure slumps to the floor.
Nomos"///Does it please you? Do you want us to do it again?"
YOU"Do it again."
NomosThe cybergargoyle turns its head again. The next moment, another Tech-Priest drops dead. The remaining servants are staring at Pasqal, who stands still as a statue. And yet the Enginseer Prime pays them no mind — his eyes are fixed on the cogitator's vid-screens.
Nomos"///Are you pleased with what we can do, [Name]? We enjoy doing things with you."
YOU"Let's start by clearing certain things up. Were you the one responsible for the ship's malfunctions? And what about the strange entries in the ship's log?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Pasqal, what is your take on this? Is this entity a benevolent machine spirit or a monster?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What else can you do?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. Pasqal, finish the ritual and banish this thing from my ship."
Nomos"///No. Nomos do not want to be banished! Why are you doing this, [Name]?" The cybergargoyle's jaws bite down on your hand so hard that you fear they might rip it off completely.
PasqalThrough the pain, you see Pasqal raise his hand, signalling the Tech-Priests behind him, and start drumming a battle march on the cogitator's keys.
NomosThe light on the bridge goes haywire — or is it the pain making your eyesight play tricks on you? Each of the cogitator's vid-screens lights up at once, and each one is repeating the same line of text, over and over, hundreds of times: "Do not send us away. Do not send us away. Do not send us away."
NomosAnd then everything stops. The vid-screens go blank, the cybergargoyle releases its jaws, the silence on the bridge gives way to the everyday cacophony of noises. Your hand hurts terribly, but at least your vision has cleared — no more haze and no mad blots of light.
Pasqal"We had to resort to emergency purgation of the data-halls." You hear the sorrow in Pasqal's words. "It is done. The entity Nomos should never trouble us again. I pray to the Omnissiah that it was the right choice... that we haven't destroyed a holy apostle by mistake. A grievous error like that would be tantamount to the most heinous of heresies."
YOU"It would have been far more terrible a mistake to let an unknown tech-monstrosity live."
PasqalPasqal, still looking worried, casts one last look at the purged cogitator. Then he gestures for the rest of the Tech-Priests to finish the ritual.
end of branch
YOU"What's done is done."
PasqalPasqal, still looking worried, casts one last look at the purged cogitator. Then he gestures for the rest of the Tech-Priests to finish the ritual.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let us pray together and hope that the decision was right."
PasqalPasqal, still looking worried, casts one last look at the purged cogitator. Then he gestures for the rest of the Tech-Priests to finish the ritual.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. Pasqal, you are to investigate the nature of this entity. Until we know the truth, Nomos is allowed to exist on the ship."
Nomos"///Nomos want to learn what we are too. We will add things to your log. Things that might help us. Help you."
PasqalPasqal lets out something resembling a long breath. "The decision is made. I will begin my preparations for the communion rite at once. Many cycles of interaction with the entity Nomos await me, but I welcome this task and accept it from the Omnissiah."
PasqalPasqal stops short as he realises that his vox-system is working once more.
Nomos"///Nomos are glad. [Name], will you speak with us too? We want you to speak with us too."
Pasqal"The Lord Captain's body lacks the sacred implants necessary for tech-communing with a machine spirit's code. But if such is your wish, [Name] can converse with you using lowly sound-speech as he/she is doing right now."
YOU"I will speak with you, Nomos."
Nomos"///Nomos are glad. We have been lonely."
Pasqal"Our work here is done, [Name]. I will let my tech-comrades know that we are stopping the complementa-ritual. Thank you for appearing before us, Entity Nomos."
end of branch
YOU"A master/mistress has nothing to say to his/her servants."
Nomos"///Nomos will be glad to fulfil your wishes. It will be interesting."
Pasqal"Our work here is done, [Name]. I will let my tech-comrades know that we are stopping the complementa-ritual. Thank you for appearing before us, Entity Nomos."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will wait for Pasqal's verdict. I still do not know whether you are a benign entity or a spawn of corruption."
Nomos"///We are lonely. But we can wait."
Pasqal"Our work here is done, [Name]. I will let my tech-comrades know that we are stopping the complementa-ritual. Thank you for appearing before us, Entity Nomos."continues where this line first appears above
Nomos"///Nomos are glad. [Name], will you speak with us too? We want you to speak with us too."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"In the name of the Emperor and by the will of Rogue Trader von Valancius, I order you to stop. On this ship, none but I — and the Imperium's laws — can dictate who lives and who dies."
Nomos"///We understand now. We may only stop functions of living things when you tell us to. You will tell us, will you not? We enjoy doing things with you."
YOU"Let's start by clearing certain things up. Were you the one responsible for the ship's malfunctions? And what about the strange entries in the ship's log?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Pasqal, what is your take on this? Is this entity a benevolent machine spirit or a monster?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What else can you do?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. Pasqal, finish the ritual and banish this thing from my ship."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. Pasqal, you are to investigate the nature of this entity. Until we know the truth, Nomos is allowed to exist on the ship."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stop it, that's enough! Those are living people! How can you kill them like that, without rhyme or reason?"
NomosThe cybergargoyle tilts its head to one side like it is surprised. "///We stopped their functions. Do you not turn machines off sometimes? We do not know how to turn a human back on. Not yet. But after enough experiments, we will. We are always learning new things!"
YOU"Let's start by clearing certain things up. Were you the one responsible for the ship's malfunctions? And what about the strange entries in the ship's log?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Pasqal, what is your take on this? Is this entity a benevolent machine spirit or a monster?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What else can you do?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. Pasqal, finish the ritual and banish this thing from my ship."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. Pasqal, you are to investigate the nature of this entity. Until we know the truth, Nomos is allowed to exist on the ship."continues where this line first appears above
Nomos(sequence)
PasqalPasqal starts tapping out a furious staccato on the keys. The small vid-screen displays the words: "[Name], you are provoking the machine spirit. Cessation required. Ritual maintenance required."
end of branch
Pasqal"[Name], you are provoking the machine spirit. Stop."
end of branch
Nomos"///Nomos enjoy communication. [Name] is our blood."
end of branch
YOU"I've heard enough. Pasqal, finish the ritual and banish this thing from my ship."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. Pasqal, you are to investigate the nature of this entity. Until we know the truth, Nomos is allowed to exist on the ship."continues where this line first appears above
PasqalPasqal says nothing for so long that you begin to suspect that Nomos has silenced him again. When at last the Tech-Priest speaks, his vox-modulated voice trembles slightly.
Pasqal"Understanding the essence of the entity Nomos is beyond my reach at present. The hypothesis spectrum ranges from the extreme of 'Abominable Intelligence' to the extreme of 'the great spirit is the Omnissiah's apostle.' The rite of tech-communion appears to be a reasonable solution. The rite will take many cycles, but it will allow me to come closer to identifying the entity and making contact with it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What else can you do?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. Pasqal, finish the ritual and banish this thing from my ship."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. Pasqal, you are to investigate the nature of this entity. Until we know the truth, Nomos is allowed to exist on the ship."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Pasqal, what is your take on this? Is this entity a benevolent machine spirit or a monster?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What else can you do?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. Pasqal, finish the ritual and banish this thing from my ship."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. Pasqal, you are to investigate the nature of this entity. Until we know the truth, Nomos is allowed to exist on the ship."continues where this line first appears above
Nomos(sequence)
PasqalPasqal, who is still wrestling with his silent vox-system, quickly taps the cogitator's keys and directs your attention to the smallest vid-screen. It reads, "Requesting instructions. Option 1: Finish the complementa-ritual (will banish the entity Nomos). Option 2: Stop the ritual, initiate communion instead (will appease the entity Nomos)."
end of branch
Pasqal"[Name], entities such as this one ought to be addressed using the language of sacred rituals and offerings. Your unskilful meddling bodes ill. A decision is required of you: either the complementa-ritual is finished, or it is replaced by a rite of tech-communion. In the first scenario, the entity Nomos will be banished and the sacred data-halls where the entity dwelt will be reset. In the second scenario, we will appease the entity and learn more about it."
end of branch
Nomos"///No. Nomos do not want to be banished. Nomos want to help. Nomos want to understand."
end of branch
YOU"You are abominable tech-heresy. There is no place for you on my ship."
NomosThe text on the vid-screens clears, and a long pause occurs in this bizarre conversation. Then the cybergargoyle, whose maw is still clutching your hand, lowers its head... dejectedly? "///Nomos do not want to quarrel. Nomos want to help. Tell us, what should we do?"
YOU"Let's start by clearing certain things up. Were you the one responsible for the ship's malfunctions? And what about the strange entries in the ship's log?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Pasqal, what is your take on this? Is this entity a benevolent machine spirit or a monster?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What else can you do?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. Pasqal, finish the ritual and banish this thing from my ship."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. Pasqal, you are to investigate the nature of this entity. Until we know the truth, Nomos is allowed to exist on the ship."continues where this line first appears above
Nomos(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Obey me. Then we can talk."
NomosAfter a moment's pause, the cybergargoyle nods vigorously, sending another wave of pain through your tortured hand. "///Nomos are glad to be of use to you. Nomos want to help. What do you want us to do?"
YOU"Let's start by clearing certain things up. Were you the one responsible for the ship's malfunctions? And what about the strange entries in the ship's log?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Pasqal, what is your take on this? Is this entity a benevolent machine spirit or a monster?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What else can you do?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. Pasqal, finish the ritual and banish this thing from my ship."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. Pasqal, you are to investigate the nature of this entity. Until we know the truth, Nomos is allowed to exist on the ship."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Obey me. Then we can talk."continues where this line first appears above
Nomos(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
Nomos"///You called us a 'hallowed spirit' and asked us to guard you against your doom."
Nomos(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
Nomos"///We did everything to please you. Why?"continues where this line first appears above
Nomos"///You asked for help. You called us a 'useless pile of scrap.' That is not our name. But we understood and were glad to help."
Nomos(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
Nomos"///We did everything to please you. Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you want from us, Nomos? Are you friend or foe?"continues where this line first appears above
Nomos(sequence)
PasqalPasqal uses his hands and mechadendrites to gesture at his silent vox-system.
end of branch
Pasqal"I see no such name in the archives. It is not among the names of revered machine spirits. But neither is it among the known virus-entities."
end of branch
Pasqal"This spirit may not possess self-awareness yet, but its capabilities... We should... I would like to start with a hundred-cycle vigil at the cogitator and a rite of communion..." Pasqal looks back and forth between the glowing vid-screen and you, embroiled in some internal conflict.
Nomos"///Nomos welcome learning."
end of branch
Pasqal"The spirit is referring to our toils. To the complementa-ritual and the rites that preceded it. The spirit is troubled by them."
end of branch
YOU[Draw your weapon with your free hand and attack the cogitator]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you want from us, Nomos? Are you friend or foe?"continues where this line first appears above
Nomos(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
YOU"In what way am I hurting you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon with your free hand and attack the cogitator]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you want from us, Nomos? Are you friend or foe?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is fantastic! Let's have Pasqal be quiet for a moment."
PasqalPasqal shoots you a sidelong look. And yet he is too mesmerised to object, practically stunned by the sight of the cogitator and everything that is happening around you.
Nomos"///Do you approve of silence? Nomos are glad."
YOU"What are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"But what is Nomos?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you a machine spirit?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Did you silence Pasqal?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You're hurting me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"In what way am I hurting you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon with your free hand and attack the cogitator]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you want from us, Nomos? Are you friend or foe?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Make it stop. Now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is fantastic! Let's have Pasqal be quiet for a moment."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You're hurting me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"In what way am I hurting you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon with your free hand and attack the cogitator]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you want from us, Nomos? Are you friend or foe?"continues where this line first appears above
Nomos(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Did you silence Pasqal?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You're hurting me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"In what way am I hurting you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon with your free hand and attack the cogitator]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you want from us, Nomos? Are you friend or foe?"continues where this line first appears above
Nomos(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you a machine spirit?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Did you silence Pasqal?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You're hurting me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"In what way am I hurting you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon with your free hand and attack the cogitator]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you want from us, Nomos? Are you friend or foe?"continues where this line first appears above
Nomos(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
YOU"But what is Nomos?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you a machine spirit?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Did you silence Pasqal?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You're hurting me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"In what way am I hurting you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon with your free hand and attack the cogitator]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you want from us, Nomos? Are you friend or foe?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The entity, it's here! Do something!"
NomosNo answer comes. The Tech-Priest standing closest to you, IH-630, is frozen in an unnatural pose, as if his whole implant-ridden body has seized up. Out of the corner of your eye, you notice something incredible — the light on the bridge is acting strangely, coalescing into a vibrating haze that separates you and the massive cogitator from the surrounding world.
Nomos"///Nomos are here. Nomos have long been here. Why are we here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon with your free hand and attack the cogitator]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Pull your hand from the servitor's mouth]
NomosAs soon as the thought of pulling your hand out crosses your mind, the servitor's jaws clench with all their frightening might. Pain shoots through your brain like a white-hot needle.