Greegori marveled at the size of the Space Hulk. It was like nothing he had ever seen, dwarfing even the mighty Battleships of his fleet. He had received the message and immediately made a return to set up a meeting. But he had not realized he would be dealing with a Space Hulk and attendant fleet until shortly before he had arrived at it. He had long heard the stories and reports of the near mythical amalgamations of hundreds of ships inot single, monstrous cosmic entities. But he had not expected them to be more magnificent than he could ever had imagined. Miles of ship that could support thousands of weapons, engines large enough to propel it the size of strike cruisers and enough hangar space to hold most likely millions of fighters or even smaller capital ships like corvettes. He was speechless at the sight of it, his breath catching in his throat as His battleship approached. It was his retinue that snapped him out of it, Sister superior Alicia clearing her throat to get his attention.
"
Embodiment, your Aquila Lander is prepared for you, and the... captain of the ship is ready to receive us.", she said.
Gregori took a deep breath and turned to his bodyguards, a squad of sisters from the Mourning Maidens, he had decided they would make for a more impressive retinue than his Protectorate for this meeting. He nodded and quickly made his way the the chariot's hangar, the sister falling into formation behind him, their armor freshly polished and adorned lavishly. Their metal heels clinked in obedient and ordered step behind their God, all honored that he had chosen them to protect and represent him in the coming encounter aboard the space hulk. Gregori himself had decided to eschew his carapace armor, worried coming in his full battledress may upset his host. Instead he wore his pure white uniform, the short cape lined with gold tilted over his right shoulder, a rich red leather holster containing his ornate laspistol, a peaked white cap atop his head with the aquila at its center proudly displayed. The Aquila lander itself was unique. Its engines and armor had been heavily improved, its proud winged engine tipped in silver and its proud prow shaped into the head of an eagle. Already in the Aquila were several rather important figures of the Imperium Reborn, Arch Magos Mathias Quint, Lord of the Imperium Reborn's Ordo Mechanicus tech-priests. The spidery limbed priest had insisted on accompanying Gregori in order to ensure the frequently tainted nature of Space Hulks was not present upon this... ark. Then there was of course Gregori's personal scribe, long since accustomed to these trips with his master he bowed deeply to him and his sister Guard. It would not be long now, as the board compartment lifted and shut and the Lander's engines roared to life. Gregori remembered reports of hulks filled with alien monstrosities or worse... he hoped such would not be the case and that all this was some sort of ruse... he calmed himself with several deep breaths and smiled, soon it would all be his.
Gregori turned to his pilot in the compartment, "
Pilot, hail the... ship. Relay the following; This is the Personal Lander of Gregori Amastov, Emperor of the Imperium Reborn. We have received and are answering your request of a meeting, please relay the location of a suitable hangar to receive us... Ave Imperator.", the pilot nodded and opened his vox to hail the Space Hulk.
Karthis took a deep, long breath after that last message to the trader K'vari. He needed a break from dealing with him, perhaps some other relaxation as well or lessons on controlling his tempers. He wondered if the chapter master or chaplain of the Knights Eternal was available. The apothecary could also work, but he seemed more physical and less mental in terms of specialization; perhaps someone in the Ordo Sororitas could also calm his fiery heart and mind?
"Sir, we're picking up things on the scanners." Karthis's mind snapped back almost immediately, "Fleet approaching, couple of vessels with a battleship flagship called the "Saint's Chariot". I think its the ruler of the this Imperium's personal flagship or something. They don't seem to be hostile... incoming lander and transmission. I suspect that he wants to talk to you."
With a lazy flick of his hand, the Lord Regent ordered the shipman to open up coms and ignore any other communications for the time being from outside of his fleet; Karthis wanted to really focus in on this man and this conversation it seems. With an keyboard in his hand, he personally typed out a reply to this Gregori Amastov, clacking away before sending the message:
::TO GREGORI AMASTOVE::
Greetings honored Gregori Amastov,
This is Ingenis Karthis, Lord Regent of the Ark Imperialis, ruling in place of the Emperor until he returns to mankind once more. Thou have been granted permission to dock in a private dock. Please proceed to hanger F8-33, directions will be sent shortly. A pair of fighter craft have been dispatched to escort you, do not worry. I hope to see you soon, honored guest.
Imperium Aeteurnum.
Looking out into the void, Karthis spotted a pair of modified Thunderbolt fighters blast off leaving a trail of light blue form their void-capable engines. If memory served him right, those fighters came from a marooned carrier that had gotten itself lodged in an especially large chunk of space rock from his father's time. Despite their efforts, they only managed to free half the ship through a combination of blasting charges, cutting teams and ever so gentle voidship-on-voidship ramming. Thankfully the surviving crew was recused as well as most of the material wealth and resources aboard it with the architeks combining various aircraft and void-based strike craft to create additions for the strike fighter wing of the fleet.
"Excuse me now, I must go and get changed now." Karthis pushed the keyboard away and got up, followed by his bodyguard, a pair of Knight Warden Champions, personal honor guards of not just him but other extremely important figures; most others simply had a pair of Guardsmen attend to them or War Maidens if they were part of/affiliated with the Ordo. That said, Karthis was the only one who had two of these extremely prestigious honor guards to escort him everywhere. With the ground shaking as they went, the trio made their way to Karthis's personal chambers and without a word, the Champions stood guard outside as the Lord Regent entered, heading straight for his modest wardrobe, "Hmm... what to wear, what to wear...."
The pilot nodded and turned on the lander's intercom to relay the information to its occupants, "
We have been given permission to land as well as a light fighter escort. We will arrive in a matter of minutes my Lord Emperor."
Gregori smiled, happy that they were being received so graciously, perhaps this would go even better than he planned. The modded Lander fell into formation with its escorts and turned to follow them to the designated hangar. The Magos looked out the viewing ports at the escorts and saw little wrong with them... for now, even his enhanced vision unable to pick out the details whilst moving in the void of space. As the ships flew over the surface Gregori planned out his speech and conversation in his head, preparing himself for what could be a difficult bit of negotiation... especially from the way the Arks inhabitants seemed to interpret Imperial creed.
It wasn't much longer until the Lander and its' escorts had arrived at their designated hangar, the Lavish and proud transport carefully setting down in the hangar and its escort along side it. The passenger compartment dropped down, revealing Gregori and his retinue. Surprisingly, Gregori himself was comparably plain. His crisp white uniform had only a badge denoting his 'rank' as Lord General, his short cape which could be described as a ponch had a silver detail in its lining and his peaked cap had only the Aquila for ornament. His Sister's bodyguards wore power armor of the finest quality, having been restored in order to denote gus honor guard. Detailed in gold with purity seals and other glamorous ornaments all the way down to their finely detailed bolters. Grgori scanned the hangar for the man he was meant to meet, or at least a guide to where they would be meeting.
Doors hissing open, the Lord Regent stepped out sporting a new, fresh dress uniform. Its cleaned, ironed fabric, free of both grime and wrinkles; its accents and fittings boasted strikingly fitting crimson and glorious, shinning golden fixtures. The master-crafted laspistol
”Finest Hour was snuggly secured in a holster to his side with Karthis’s power sword,
”Stout Allegiance” flanking his other hip. Carefully tucked under his cloths, his rosarius was pressed against his chest, just in case. Can’t ever be too careful in these treacherous days.
Escorted down the hall, he summoned forth an additional retinue if not just for show. Two squads of the finest Nova Militarum guardsmen would be present at the meeting as would be the Ordo Sororitas’s Canoness Superior with her own retinue of War Maidens. As the increasingly large group mounted a trio of Rhinos, two Tau drones appeared with a pair of scribes and a small gathering of representatives of the Officio Fabricus who piled into an open-topped truck of their own design. The head of the Officio, the Lord Artificer, wasn’t present however, clearly buried in his own work as per usual.
The convoy rumbled down the streets and corridors with a handful of short lift rides. Karthis spent most of the trip musing on how to interact with his space marine guards giving advice and telling antidotes of the encounters previous members of Karthis's lineage had that might help. Nearing the end, Karthis was given a message by one of the Tau drones that the lander had arrived in designated hanger, its escort craft now patrolling the local space around the hanger as their mission was completed. The Lord Regent smiled, as of right now, everything was going smoothly as the convoy pulled outside of the hanger. This one was selected because while it was large and well decorated and clean, it was also a private, separated dock which meant that there was a level of privacy. Its rich decoration had an air of modesty to it, the bright lights and golden trimmings meshing with the polished, utilitarian metal floor and lines of tool racks and terminals, all neatly lined and in pristine condition. As an added bonus of this hanger being isolated from other hanger bays, Karthis knew that not all petty imperiums approved of the work of his architeks and hoped that by not seeing any of the major, noticeable changes, Gregori and his men would be blissfully unaware for the moment.
After some quick planning for an entrance, the hanger door opened as the two squads of guardsmen flooded either side of the room, forming two neat, five-man rows on the polished metal floor as they held their rifles with pride. In unison, they shouted, "Imperium! Aeternum!", heralding the arrival of Karthis who had his two Tau drones floating silently above him. Flanked by the two Knight Eternal Champions, followed by a priest who held a copy of the
Libre Imperialias: Book of Truth with a dual line of War Maidens behind her lead by the scribes, Karthis's entrance was almost unusually grand of him. But he knew that first impressions mattered. As the gaggle of architeks filtered in, carefully hidden behind the rest of the blob of retinue, the main man on center stage stretched out a hand, "Lord Regent Karthis of the Ark Imperialis, preserver of the Emperor's will and truth. I welcome thee to my ship."
As the Guardsmen marched in to set up Gregori's Sororitas turned and stood in there own smaller ranks, their Sister Superior's hand strayed to her blade but Gregori lifted a hand to stop her. He could tell this was no more than a display of power and wealth, a common tactic when on ones home turf. His scribe was already jotting down the details of the entrance with his auto-quills, furiously writng as Gregori stood straight and prepared to meet the man himself. 'Lord Regent' Karthis had clearly intended his first appearance dazzle with both his extensive retinueand lavish outfit, which was good. He considered Gregori important enough to bring such an extensive retinue, though he felt the support staff was a bit over-bearing. Magos Mathias scanned for Mechanicum personnel, catching glimpses of the red robes among the retinue.
Gregori stepped forward, and linked his thumbs against his chest, hands outstretched in the sign of the Aquila, before taking his hand. He thought it was a bit... odd to be addressed as 'thee' but brushed it off while shaking Karthis' hand.
"I am Gregori Amastov, Emperor of the Imperium Reborn and Lord General of the first Expansion Crusade. Your ship is... impressive Lord Regent to say the least. I, and especially Honoured Arch Magos Mathias of the Ordo Mechanicus, are excited to see the rest. But, that of course can come later, we must first discuss the new horizons that have opened with your arrival for the both of us.", Gregori smiled as he gestured to his retinue, "Will we meet here or is there another venue intended for our negotiations?"
"We can continue if you wish. Alternatively I can arrange more some more comfortable, fitting arrangements to be made in a more private lounge for discussions." Karthis was glad that this act had proven some effect on the 'Emperor of the Imperium Reborn'. He was also very curious as to what this whole 'first expansion crusade' was about, he had come across plenty of systems embroiled in war but it never failed to peak his interest even if he learned to hide this curiosity well.
"Should you wish to go elsewhere, you may either ride in one of the transports here and get something of a scenic route or I can call for the
IMagnum Opus, a Fire Raptor gunship and a sacred relic of the Knights Eternal chapter. Also, please, have a drink." Karthis stepped aside to let a trio of servitors bearing trays with delicate, fancy glass drinking chalices with a sweet, bubbly golden nectar in them that had been stowed away in one of the transports. A glass was given to each member of the Nova Militarum guardsmen , War Maidens and architeks present as well as Gregori and his retinue; the astartes accepted them if only out of duty to keep appearances. Raising the glasses together, Karthis smiled a "Cheers!" and downed his drink as did the rest of his forces present (the astartes just stood their for a second before they decide to again be in unison with everyone else and poured their servings into a canten for later use, dumping an empty chalice over their helmets in a comedic fashion).
"Fyorghan Golden Reserve Sparkling Wine, known for its hints of sweet tassleberry and aged in an exotic wild red orchid wood barrel for two decades." Karthis paraphrased what would obviously be on the back of a bottle, "Found this on an old luxury space yacht whose occupants were in no shape to care what happened to their wine, nor ship for that matter after they decided to let the vacuum of space into their party, courtesy of hull damage. Thought this would be a perfect time to open it up, special occasion."
Handing his glass back to one of the servitors, he realized that none of his guest had taken a sip out of their glasses, "Don't worry they aren't poisoned. We both know of more effective ways of killing guests than this I think." Karthis waved his hand and urged them to take a sip, "Now, how do you wish to arrive to a more befitting conference room?"
"Haha, far from a belief of poison, I simply had to be sure you had offered me an appropriate vintage!", Gregori laughed and downed his own drink. In truth he had more expected to drink it as they went and savor the taste rather than downing the fine drink all at once. He gulped happily before gesturing to his retinue, "The Sisters do not partake, thanks to their own vows, and the Arch magos is quite unable and unwilling to indulge in such.", his scribe quickly downed his own drink before returning to his writing. The sisters politely rfused the drinks and the Arch Magos seemed far more intent on inspecting the floors and walls, simply waving a mechadentrite to suggest the server take such things away.
"I do beleive this... Fire Raptor gunship sounds like the easiest way to have a decent look at the Ark from above, and will most likely get us alot closer to a suitable meeting room. I do believe such a transport is worthy. Please, lead the way.", Gregori said, gesturing from where Karthis came from.
Turning his head around slightly, Karthis quickly spoke into a comm-bead and within minutes a Fire Raptor came into view, gingerly finding a spot to land as the pilot managed not to bump Gregori's lander in a deft display of control and skill. Just outside another pair of fighters preformed the rounds as the
Magnum Opus's door hissed open to let few people in. Being a gunship and not a dedicated flying transport meant that some modifications had to be make in order to make room for enough seats but still lacked a enough for the amount. Several architeks couldn't help but smile seeing what they saw as their handiwork in the repair and modification of the craft being shown off more or less and had swelled with pride.
"Greetings milord." a mechanical voice echoed out of the Fire Raptor as well as a much more pompous voice and a harsh female voice was also added to the choir as it was made apparent that a few people were already on board.
"Lord Artificer Kryole, High King Vendric, Canoness Superior Artormis." The Lord Regent named off the three members of his administration he clearly did not expect to see, "Sir Amastov, here are the heads of my Officio Fabricus, the most noble knightly house of Ablnorn and the Ordo Sororitas in that order. Do any of you three know if we'll be expecting anyone else to make a surprise appearance?"
"I fear naught, I believe that the Lord Praetorian Prefect and the Chapter Master of the Knights Eternal have their own duties they must attend to." Canoness Superior Artormis shook her head and shrugged.
"Shame." Karthis sighed before turning to Gregori, "Seeing as there's only but limited room in my transport, would you be comfortable with only allowing you, your major attendants and a few guards on? I myself will be limiting myself to the same requests once we board and conclude this ceremony."
Gregori nodded and gestured for the Arch Magos, His scribe, Sister Superior Alicia and two other Sororitas to join him. Alicia quickly ordered the rest to remain and guard the Lander. Gregori turned back to Karthis with a well practised smile, "My retinue is prepared.", he then set his eyes upon their transportation. Magos Mathias marveled at the pristine Space marine vessel, impressed by this 'Arks' amount of vaunted tech so far, thought he yet remained ever watchful. When the Knight House's name came up his interest was peaked further, excited by the possibility of seeing one of the legendary Knight Titans of old. Gregorio for his part maintained a mask of only general interest, he resolved to remain more aloof from here on out in order to not give the impression of one easily tricked by shiny objects. The scribe, ever dutiful, glanced at it only long enough to record its existence before returning to his work.
The small party wasted no time embarking upon the ship, Gregori sittng across from where he imagined Karthis would sit, The Sister flanking him. He decided now was the perfect time for a few inquiries for Karthis.
"So, you have a sisters order and Space Marine chapter aboard? I have seen few armored sisters though, any reason?"
As the party of leaders piled on into the Fire Raptor, Karthis gave the order for most of his men to file out, their parts played. Leaving in neat lines, the same as the ones they walked coming in, the room was now much more empty. Only a squad of guardsmen remained, half of them in the hanger and the other half just outside as the engines of various vehicles sputtered to life, just in case. They look at their foreign guest with a dutiful face, not wishing to incite anything unnecessary incidents on behalf of their lords. Taking positions along the wall near the door, they saluted farewell to Karthis and Gregori as the door of their transport closed and the craft began its travel into the void.
Artormis was sat the closest to Karthis in her finely repaired suit of power armor, showing only hints of its sororitas origins after so many repairs and modifications; including several small thrusters and boosters located strategically around the suit, all linked up via a bundle of wires to the nape of the Canoness Superior's neck. The armor was in large part black and silver with a few crimson rims but on the insides of her cape was a bright, blood red crimson. Her armor in general just seemed less restricting compared to the power armor worn by the sister superior which Gregori had brought along. It was no doubt a design choice that would not hinder her movement which would be necessary to wield the
very exotic looking twin-bladed sword-spear Artormis carried which she called a "War Dancer Lance", carried by more sisters than just her named the "Asrai Bladestorm"
Next to her was a gaudy looking man whose very presence casted a noble, refined aurora as his robes and garments shimmered and shone with fine craftsmanship fit for a High King of Knights such as himself. Two pieces of his regalia that stood out the most was his Oathblade that was strapped to his side and his Guided Crown of Attuning that bounced off even the dim light of the Fire Raptor's interior. Despite all of this, one could tell that there was something just a bit...
off about the High King Vendric even if they couldn't quite put their tongue as to why he game off an air of delusion.
Across from the High King was the Lord Artificer of the architeks, Kryole the Tomb Raider, a moniker stemming from a successful raid on a small Necron tomb on some far away moon which granted him his current weapon of choice that crackled with a wonderful green glow, the Axe of Halation. Kryole always had an interest in studying xenos technology (the heretek blood in him being quite strong it would seem), with him almost always being found trying to take apart some old eldar weapon or taking copious amounts of notes on necron wargear. Its said that he alone accounted for a fifth of the ship's total data usage and parchment stocks. He was the most mechanically enhanced of all his brothers of the Officio Fabricus but he still paled in comparison to that of the Arch Magos near him and still looked very much human. An enhanced eye, breathing apparatus, a pair or artificial arms and reinforced legs, and a single mechandrite was all he had to show along with a handful of organs he'd rather not show.
"I guess you could call them an order of battle sisters but that would leave out some details I feel; I believe Canoness Superior Artormis would be able to give a much better explanation. As to why they lack power armor, tis merely because we do not have so many stocks of power armor befitting for normal humans. Only the best and highest ranking are given allowance to such armors although that is not to discount the skill or even equipment of the regular sisters-at-arms for their weapons have been modified by some of my fleet's more exotic crewmen to pack quite a punch. Now, Canoness Superior, you may have your honors."
"Thank you milord." the white haired lady cleared her throat, "We are the Ordo Sororitas, taking lead from the Adepta Sororitas before us, but we follow not the Imperial Cult, but the words of the Emperor himself." Pulling out her copy of the
Libre Imperialis, the Canoness Superior displayed it with pride to the guests, "This is the collected works of the Emperor, based on knowledge long since lost but recovered from a holy artifact which the Karthis dynasty has safeguard for centuries: a recording of one of the Emperor's speeches. From his Imperial Truth, we derive our thoughts in a most purest way to preserve his very words of progress and betterment of humanity for the time which he comes to lead us once more. Not the foul beast which now reigns over the Warp as its newest, vile diety, but the true, glorious form of the very pinnacle of what man could be, the
real Emperor of Mankind!"
There was a silence in the transport as the sister concluded her zealous speech. While only High King Vendric openly applauded, it was easy to see that the rest of Karthis's party was smiling or showing some other form of subtle agreement and pride.
The Spidery and
extremely augmented Arch Magos observed his counterpart within the passenger compartment, and decided to test this 'Tech Priest' by speaking to it in binary,
+++Your designation within the Hierarchy of the Cult Mechanicus, I would hear it lesser augmented 'Lord Artificer' Kryole+++, his many mechadentrites scanning and handling the walls of the transport as well as fiddling with assorted gadgets around his person as the mess of green 'eyes' that made up the Magos' face stared down his lesser augmented and smaller 'kin'.
Gregori for his part took in all the new occupants, noting the quirks and details of each. Of all of them only the High King raised any real flags. Gregori assumed he was the Patriarch of the Knight house on board, but he seemed... off in one way or another. Perhaps Knight pilots were simply this way outside of their titans? Gregori was unsure as information on the Knight Houses was scattered at best, after all none had been within any of the nearby systems before the Astronomicons collapse so he had to assume this 'High Kings' house was from farther afield. It was only when the Canoness Superior began preaching that Gregori took note. More because he could feel the rage of Sister Superior Alicia even with her full suit and helmet on. He debated wether or not to tell her to calm down, but realized that eventually the sisters would cause some problem with this seemingly new branch of Imperial faith, better to let them do so when he could intervene if need be.
Upon the completeion of the Canoness' speech Alicia seemed she could hold it in no longer, the clapping hands of the High King silenced as she spoke in a low, almost guttural growl, "
Heretics.", she sneered at the canoness and attendants. "How
dare you peddle such fowl lies before the Embodiment of his will?! The words of the Emperor are his! Yet you dare to follow the teachings of ancient, decayed recordings?! Lord Emperor Gregori Amaztov is the Emperor's will reborn in human form and yet you claim divinity from naught but echoes?!"
The Sister superior was now nearly shouting, and her attendants sisters seemed to glare even through their helmets at the others present. Gregori seemed unfazed, not smiling nor frowning as his lead bodyguard seemed ready to pull her sword from its sheathe as she continued to rant. "And you would claim to be descendent of the Adepta Sororitas?! You are less than a shadow!", she sneered at the Canoness of the Ordo Sororitas, "The Embodiment of his will stands before you and you have not proclaimed yet your blade?! Perhaps it would be forgivable as you have not the Holiest of Texts from our order, but only if you still worshipped him on his throne, but instead you claim these... these...
echoes are worthy to preach?! Lies and Heresy! You wi-", Only now did Gregori intervene.
"Sister Superior Alicia you will do nothing, and they will do nothing you order them too. Sit, you are my Protector not my preacher. Sit and
silence before I strip you personally of rank and declare you for the Repentia for disrespecting my presence.", Alicia's face was obsured by her helm, but it went sheet white as she silenced herself and sat back down, trembling ever so slightly from being scolded and threatened by her god. Gregori turned to Karthis and his retinue, "I do apologize. The Mourning Maidens believe I am the Embodiment of the Emperor's will made flesh. It is a faction within the Imperium Reborns Eclesiassrchy that has begun to gain traction without my interference, though I endorse no sect myself.", Gregori admitted. "A certain... freedom of interpretation is needed in this new age, wouldn't you agree Lord Karthis?", Gregori said, hoping he had made his point by letting the sister have her little outburst.
There was a collective, amused sigh from the side of Karthis, clearly they had dealt with many zealots of Alicia's kind and had long gotten over any rage which might rise up to the point it was blunted to more annoyance than anything at this stage, "I would have to agree... Emperor Gregori?" Karthis still wasn't quite sure on how to formally greet his compatriot but Emperor seemed like a decent starting point, "Although there still must be a heavy hand in guidance as well, less the sheep of the Emperor be guided astray from his light unto savage wolves."
Karthis then turned to the Sister Superior and in a calm, almost rehersed voice, explained, "The both of us follow the words of the Emperor from long ago but perhaps have heard different dictions of his vocabulary. However, we do not 'worship' his words as a divine canon but instead look to it as a guidance on our path of life. He is the most perfect incarnation of man, showing that even as a mortal he became something akin to a god. We do not demand that you convert or follow our interpertaions, simply that you acknolweged that we too are but humble servants and followers to the Emperor and not the wickedness of Chaos and do not attempt to force your own ideals on to ours. Live and let live as one might say. That said, I am more than willing to show you the 'echo' which we follow provided you do not immediately declare a fabrication or heresy; tis a recording of one of the Emperor's very speeches of which all of our thinking comes from good Sister Superior."
"Well spoken my lord!" High King Vendric interjected himself with great boasting, "The honorable and noble knights of House Albnorn would never wage glorious battle for anyone but the Emperor!"
Leaning over to Gregori, he whispered in his ear in a low voice, the most noble ramblings of the HIgh King drowning out anyone else who would attempt to hear it, "Please excuse the High King; he and his House have some... interesting self reflections which has only intensified and become the norm since the time of his ancestors. I assure that despite his eccentricities, he is a very loyal servant of the Emperor and a most courageous and respected warrior and honored High King."
As the others spoke in low gothic and the speech about the glory of House Ablnorn faded with some dramatic hand motions and how great their knights where, the Lord Artificer replied to his counterpart in rusty binary, his lack of usage clear as he processed and replied at speeds that would be considered slow by the Arch Magos with minor failings in his speech,
+++I no part of the Cult Mechanicus... honored Magos. I am of Officio Fabricus, different than the Cult Mechanicus... Like the thoughts of Lord Regent Karthis.. we too hold Omnissiah in holy... but differ in practical application than normal orthodontist of the Cult Mechanicus... Architeks and Enginseers are two of the same but different... May I asked on... you thoughts on this trip so afar?+++ The Lord Artificer attempted some small talk with honest curiosity, wondering of what the Arch Magos was thinking at this moment.
Sister Superior Alicia seemed to glower at the amused retinues of the Ark and Karthis after her outburst. Gregori Simply nodded as Karthis explained how his ideals and the Sisters could remain... at least neutral to one another. His interest peaked at the mention of a recording of the Emperor himself. "Indeed Lord Karthis? Such a recording would be... quite interesting to hear I must admit. But, I believe we must arrive first at... where will we be meeting Lord Karthis? Exactly?", the young Emperor looked out of the small window near him at the rapidly moving landscape, wondering how much longer this would take.
The Arch Magos could not care less about the arguments or discussions of the others, his many bionic eyes cycled and analyzed this... 'Architec' as his many dentrites cycled about his person. The slow, stunted binary was not earning the strange priest any positive opinion, making the Arch magos suspicious as another burst of binary escaped the vox unit that had long ago supplanted his own vocal chords. "
+++Explain Techpriest. Officio Fabricus? My thoughts? Thus far... adequate. No notable heresies... all seems well. But I have yet to see your Knights. You do have them yes?! A Knight house?", if it were possible for chirps of binary to sounds excited then the Arch Magos certainly was.
“We’re heading a private room meant for the meeting of dignitaries which we should be arriving at soon.” A quick word from the pilot over the intercom confirmed Karthis’s words, “At any rate, I will be more than happy to show you one of the copies of the speech. The original has been kept away in hiding and heavily guarded for obvious reasons.”
Separate from the main conversation, Lord Artificer Kryole modified mind attempted to recall as much binary as it could while also carefully trying to construct dialogue which wouldn’t sour the mood, +++Please, do no call me ‘Techpriest’… we Architeks close but to confuse us width… your holy Techpriests, it would be an… disservice… to the both of use. The Officio Fabricus is what one could call thy… Adept Mechanicus of the Ark Imperialis with… again its own differences.+++
With a quite break to refresh himself and his translation efforts, Kryole continued, +++We have no-bell Knights… of the the sort… not that of them… you may think of but still grate… and praiseworthy… still momentous to the Machine God yes.+++
Gregori nodded, understanding the need to protect such a possibly vaunted artifact. "Of course, I impatiently await our coming negotiations, and your re-introduction to the Imperium.", he stated plainly.
The sound of the Magos' eyes cycling signaled the fact he was clearly thinking, and a squeal of machinery that almost sounded dissapointed before he spoak in another burst of binary.
"
+++No Bell Knights? I am interested in seeing your... replacements for them, hopefully they will not dissapoint. Not call you tech-priest? Does the Officio Fabricus not intend to dissolve back into the greater machine cult?+++", the Arch Magos asked confused and somewhat discontent.
"
+++Your Binary, it is so broken. Are you experiencing difficulty with your vox unit? You seem out of practice 'Architek'", said the Arch Magos somewhat perturbed now.
Soured lips were held well at the sound of "re-introduction into the Imperium" but Karthis hid it well. If only Gregori knew how many other "Emperors" made that same proposal, each proclaiming their claims to be the truest and most divine of all. His mood was shared by everyone on his side of the craft as it came into a landing bay but like him, they hide their discontent well. The air did not change at all as Karthis just smiled while the craft hit the deck with a soft thud.
A burst of air flooded the compartment as pressure equalized and the door opened to a small handful of astartes and war maidens who bowed politely at the the sight of the Lord Regent and his guest. "After you." Karthis got up and gestured out into a richly decorated but utilitarian hanger, not unlike the one which Gregori had arrived on only with more turrets.
Following his comrades, the Lord Architek followed the lead of Karthis and stood up but continued his dicussion in (broken) binary, "
+++Too me the Nights will not disappoint... beauty they arts... And yas... my binery is uncommon used... tis not come on spaaking on the Ark... we Architeks speak the come on Gothic... of erryone else...+++"
As Kryole, brushed himself off and got in line to disembark, he thought of how to approach the very trick question regarding the cult mechanicus. To him, there were machine gods and a perfect plan of everything, but was there an Omnissiah and the blessed cogs and gears? If this remnant of the backwards cult of the machine god realized that he and every single architek on the ship, no, in the fleet, was more or less a heretek or the child of one, how would he react? With a deep breath of air filling his enhanced lungs, Kryole turned to the Magos with a confident smile through his mask, his face unblemished by copious wirings and tubing, and said in Gothic, "I believe the real question is, would the greater machine cult allow us to become one with them again?"
With his red robe flowing in the artificial breeze, Kryole turned and marched down the ramp and took his place next to Karthis with the rest of his retinue as they mounted an elevator toward the proper meeting room. It was a largely silent trip but ended with a small "ding" and walk down the hall to a meeting room. It was charming and quaint, a fireplace burned with life as the polish wooden table held papers and dataslates from a previous meeting. Chairs were stuffed and well cared for and were even all made of a uniform piece of fabric with no patch workings. Cogitators and screens were tucked into corners and recessed in the wall, all flashing some form of data that one of the members of Karthis's retinue knew exactly what it was.
Taking a seat in the row of chairs on the far wall, the Lord Regent sat in front of a painting of the Emperor when he lead the Legio Astartes in the Ullanor Crusade, his friends soon followed, "Welcome, Emperor Gregori, to the formal discussion area."
Gregori had been taught to read people long ago. His family had a firm rule regarding its leadership and the Emperor was no exception. Schooled in the arts of diplomacy, negotiation, politicking and subterfuge from the day he was born. Clearly Lord Regent Karthis was good at hiding his true emotions... his fellows not quite as so. Subtle movements, the shifting of eyes and an uncomfortable shuffle of positioning or a misplaced cough and well timed sigh were all Gregori needed to know he was not the first to offer them a return to the Imperium, but he endeavoured to be the last this day. He kept his smile as he walked along
next to Lord Regent Karthis and not behind while his guards remained within arms reach.
The Arch Magos was becoming antsy in speaking to this 'Architek', with his broken and dis-used binary, his lack of augmentation, the way he spoke about their supposed 'Knights' it was all putting the Magos off quite a bit. His spidery appendages and many mechadentrites writhing as he exited the ship along with the Architek, taken aback when the Architek spoke to him in gothic, "
+++We will have to see..."
Upon reaching the true meeting room Gregori took a seat across from his counterpart and nodded, "Very good, so we may begin the true talks. So Lord Regent Karthis what are your terms? The Imperium Reborn is ready and prepared to accept your re-admittance, providing several things of course but I would like to hear what you expect."
"I am afraid I will have to stop you right there Emperor Gregori." Karthis raise his hand once Gregori had finished, "As of right now, my fleet seek no place to reabsorb as currently there are none which we find... suitable." This wasn't anything against Gregori really but once you saw a few dozen of these petty Imperiums, you've seen them all. And Karthis had seen a few hundred. "You are not the first to offer such a generous proposal and I have no doubts that you will be the last. But surely you must have already seen what kind of conflict would arise should we attempt cohabitation. Our people will... not mesh well shall we say."
An obvious reference to the rather explosive outburst in the transport from earlier, Karthis hoped Gregori would understand. That said, Karthis wasn't above trying to leaverage the situation in his favor. "However, if you are so generous to allow for it, I would like to ask if me and my fleet be able to rest in your space for a time and be given basic supplies such as food and materials. In exchange, I can provide you with fire support from this fleet. Surely that must constitute for something, no?
Gregori laughed. He smiled and gestured to the Sisters as well as his other fellow staff, "
Please, do leave us to speak.", Sister Superior Alicia was about to protest when gregori shot another look at her, and she simply about faced and ordered the sisters out of the meeting room, save her. Gregori placed a hand in the way of his scribes auto-quill to get his attention and simply nodded to the door. He then looked back to Karthis and company, "
Lord Karthis, if you'll permit me I'd like to speak one man to another, a leader of men to a leader of men free of distraction. Please, give me this courtesy before we decide on any actions or decisions.". he flashed a clean smile at the Lord regent, his eyes looking at Karthis in the same way a hunter would watch difficult prey, analyzing every crease of his opposites face and every quirk he could.
Only fools back down when challenged.
Internally sighing, Karthis motioned for his entourage to leave the room. Even the guards left only to be replaced by a pair of armed security servitor who would be unable to process anything in the conversation, only there to hold guns at Gregori should something
unexpected happen. This man was a stubborn one, possibly full of himself too but that wasn't part of the primary matter at hand. The 'Emperor' had his empty chamber to speak with Karthis and Karthis alone, the Lord Regent was curious as to how Gregori would other wise convince him to join. Coercion? Threats? Blackmail? Pleading? Force?
"You have your solidarity Gregori." Karthis flatly stated, clearly unperturbed as he stood up and straightened his back, "Do tell me what you wish to speak with me in such hidden privacy about." A purely redundant question of course for Karthis already knew what this was about as did a few members of his retinue did possibly.
Gregori smiled and stood, drew his laspistol... and placed it on one of the many small tables. He removed his peaked cap, and unclasped his cape as well. Placing both on the chair he had been sitting on. Then, he turned to Lord Regent Karthis, his face was no longer a warm smile, but instead held a look of determination, solidarity, and if one looked close enough perhaps even hope.
"
Lord regent Karthis I do not claim to be a god. I am not the Emperor's will embodied, I am not a child of his grace tht once sat on the throne or the Lord of all Humanity. I am Gregori Amastov of the Amastov family line and I did not come here for an alliance, or to offer you allegiance. I came to see what kind of man you are. What kind of Leader you are and how your people live on this Mighty floating wreck. I must say you have lived up to my expectations thus far... in all but one aspect, and that is how very tired you are."
Gregori stood with impeccable posture before the Lord Regent, his voice carrying easily without even coming close to shouting as he stretched his oratory muscles.
"
Each time I have mentioned joining the Imperium Reborn, every word you have said to me and the interactions of all your staff have betrayed to me how very tired this place is. How long have you and your family traversed this terrible void? How long have you watched your people struggle day in and day out knowing that each time you move on could be your last? How long have you known that one day you will travel to a doom you cannot escape from? From the looks of it the answer to all these things is quite some time."
Now Gregori walked, sure and measured steps around the room to come before the fire-place into which he now gazed, before taking the nearby poker and jamming it into the middle log, snapping it in half and causing a small blaze to erupt from which he did not shield his eyes. Its main fuel quickly began to burn off, soon only licks of flame escaped the glowing cinders. He looked back at Karthis.
"
Your recording... its what has kept you isn't it? I imagine it fuels you yes? His holy words true or not? It is a glimmer, a shard, an echo and a ghost... of hope.", he deftly used the poker to toss a small log on the fire and stirred up the embers, quickly it cauht, but it was not long before it began to wither.
"
We need more than a Glimmer Lord Karthis. Us, your people and mine. We need something tangible, and something more permanent. A Glimmer is how all hope starts but the only way to sustain it is with the flame it inspires. In people, in civilians and soldiers, in Gods and in Men, in leaders and the lead. And A glimmer can only feed from so much before it is engulfed and fed upon by the buzzards."
The poker was jammed into the core of a much larger log, which Gregori carefully held in the embers and flame of the withering smaller one, before letting it rest as the flames took their hold.
"
Its time to stop relying on a glimmer Lord Karthis. Together we can provide fuel upon which this pilot light can flourish, our bodies and time and resources shall be our sacrifice to Hope. Together, it may be just enough, but you must be willing to give yourself to both our people, and make them one... as must I. It is time to rouse yourself oh tired Lord Regent. It is time to learn you needn't be tired any longer. After all, you and I have far too much work to do to be tired... don't we?"
Gregori turned to him, face full of energy and determination, a rebellious smile on his lips as he let the poker rest, stuck in the thick log. He offered his hand, but did not move. Karthis would need to walk to him in order to accept it.
Following suit with his esteemed guest, Karthis also laid his arms out on the table to show he was not armed. The last thing that needed to happen would be a gunfight. Karthis studied Gregori’s words and actions as he began to prod at the fire place as if he owned it. Karthis put some significant effort to mask his displeasure when Gregori referred to his fleet as a “mighty floating wreck”. It may have lacked the luster of his own gaudy ships, but they carried lives and knowledge innumerable.
“This journey has been long and hard yes, but I do not tire of it yet.” Karthis rebutted Gregori’s words, “For it is the duty of my family and everyone on board this fleet to keep travelling and collecting. We do not tire, you only perceive it as tireness because you do not know what it is like to straing yourself. Look to any scripture from any time period and it will say ‘to struggle is to live, to defy the odds, to defy death. We have traveled for many decades in this age of darkness and we will continue to do so until the Emperor returns to us. It is not an easy nor comfortable task, but when was the last time you truly had a struggle on your hands?”
With his words growing deeper, Karthis reached for his flask and took a sip of water, ignoring the selection of drinks he walked by as he paced around the room in his own little pattern. Gregori practically leaked with the scent of a comfortable, pampered life, his every wish fulfilled and oppulance granting him all he could fesably want.
“Do tell me, ‘Emperor’, when was the last time you starved with your people? When was the last time you gave your food to someone else who needed it while your gut desperately called for nourishment? When was the last time you allowed yourself to be in the dark without power so someone else could see the light? When was the last time you got off your high throne and really took a good at your people? Do you even understand what your people go through? Or have you been blinded by reports beyond count with skewed numbers to please you? Do you even know what a beggar looks like? Or do you have them all ‘removed’?”
With a long stride, Karthis found himself staring into the painting of the Emperor on the eve of his Great Crusade, legion of astartes behind his glorious flaming sword. But his eye were not focused on the master of mankind. Instead, Karthis had his eyes drawn to a tiny sheet of printed metal that spelled out the artist’s name who created the workd, created the retelling of this exact moment in history.
“Your people may need you to stoke their flames in fear the dark will devour them but mine do not. You need something more than a glimmer since you fear not what if it disappears, but what if you are no longer the brightest flame. My people do not need any more because to them, even the faintest sparks gives them hope, each one able to burn like a bonfire. You wish to ally me out of fear because you don’t want to be the first to fall into the abyss. And yes, both of us have many responsibilities that keep us from feeling fatigue, but only one of us is really working.”
Without saying a word, Karthis brought up his Libre Imperialis and pulled out a copy of the recording, spinning on his heels to put it into a slot in the table's side. With a whirring sound, the machine spirit woke up from its slumber and with a flicker, displayed a most noble image. It was that of the Emperor, and even millennia after his passing and in holographic form, he still produced an air about him which no one could pinpoint but could also not deny.
His words echoed and resonated, overflowing in his booming voice and endless charisma as he himself espoused his ideas on how mankind was to be. How man was star bound for greatness, the galaxy for their taking; an endless ocean of twinkling, glimmering stars all to be part of mankind's next evolutionary phase. A manifest destiny one could say. He decried what the damage superstition and religion had done with great zeal and passion that could bring a full grown man to tears. His ever sentence, no every word brought forth hope and fervor to his cause as the background clapping became louder and louder but still muted out by the Emperor's voice. And with a final heroic raise of his sword, the figure of the Emperor exclaimed, "FOR THE IMPERIUM! FOR MANKIND! IMPERIUM AETERNUM!"
With the recording now done, Karthis removed it and returned it to its nest within the pages of his book. Now by the fireplace as well, Karthis pulled out his own, duller poker and shattered the log which Gregori was poking at before dragging a new one on top to take its place, a small, glowing knot of it fall off and onto the fire pit’s stone ground, burning just as brightly as ever.
Walking closer to Gregori, Karthis stuck out his own hand, just a few inches away from his counterpart's; close enough to signify he was willing to work with him, but far enough so that he would have to make the move, "We are all the creation of his holiness and he is our divine father. I do not tire of my duties as is required of me from my people to carry on the legacy of the Old Imperium but I am willing to work where I see opportunity. I am willing to allow the use of my ships and men to carry arms under your banner but serve under my name. I can offer knowledge which my predecessors and I have gathered from our time 'traveling against the path of doom which we will one day no longer be able to out run' in the void. In exchange, I would like supplies and resources and autonomy from your own organizations. I fear that our conflicting views which our respective citizens also have will not be able to mix very well. Are we in agreement... Battle Brother?"
Gregori didn't move. The hands of the men hovered inches from each other, one needed merely nudge his hand forward to complete the shake but neither did. Instead Greogri's other hand rose and grasped Karthis at his wrist, his eyes staring into the Lord Regent's own, all warmth in them gone.
"
And so your great struggle continues then Karthis. For it is, so terrible. For you starve with your people and sit with them in the cold, long dark to comfort you. For truly you are a leader who cares. And I will return to ensuring my people don't starve with supplies from my own stockpiles, that our lights remain on by sponsoring the Mechanicus improving our generators and the materials they use. I will return to my waiting armies who I will use to expand in order to no longer need to struggle to feed my planets, or keep their power on or arm my military to defend them."
Gregori's grip tightend in emphasis as he continued, his other hand dropping.
"
Karthis, I will not pay for a mercenary company with members who do not fight, for that is what you are asking. That I give you food and supplies that I cannot afford to give you for an army. I have an army Lord Karthis, I do not need a mercenary company who does not fight. I did not come here for that, and if that is all you can offer than I am afraid you will have to move on."
Gregori released Lord Karthis, and straightened his gloves before continuing.
"
The point of struggle is to evenetually overcome what it is you struggle against, not eternally rail against it. Say what you wish of money and privilege but it is a universal truth that all struggle Lord Karthis, we simply do not all struggle the same way. In the Imperium Reborn my people are free to worship how or who they please so long as it is not the more... unsavory deities of the warp. Xenos live and work amongst the human race. Some worship me, others do not. Your integration would require but a few things of you. But, so be it. You may tell your people of how I refused to provide help and demonize me as you prepare to leave once more into the warp. But know that I offered a way out, a door away from your myriad struggles and you refused it... this is a chance to do more than just survive! But I cannot force you to anything Lord Regent Karthis."
A moment of silent, a break of pause. And then, laughter. Karthis began to chuckle, doing his best to stifle it. Covering his mouth with his free hand, the Lord Regent soon regained composure, lips formed into a definite smile,
“And now the true Gregori Amastov comes out. Nice to finally meet you Emperor Gregori.”Taking a step back, Karthis mused to himself internally, weighing his mental scales. In his current state, Gregori would be memorable as few chose to go this route. That said, the fear of harsh voices and physical confrontation had long worn off on Karthis. Such things tend to happen when you ship has a chance of being boarded by daemons at regular intervals, such was the life of a migrant fleet.
“Your Imperium sounds quite utopian now. Although I still fear that just because you may be okay with the freedom to express one’s self, I doubt that means the entirety of your populace is in agreement. Even in your own retinue, its clear that even between you and your own Sister of Battle that there are ideological lines.”Standing back at straight attention and with a more formal voice, the Lord Regent took up his most noble posture and set about to exude and aura of rank and leadership, channeling whatever charisma he had.
“That said, I am willing to integrate into your Imperium so long that I remain in control of some of my assists. I will do my best to share resources with you, whatever my ‘mighty floating junk fleet’ can provide I will attempt to do so. My soldiers shall carry your banners and my people will know your name. However, I would like personal oversight into the integration process, with your in put of course. I believe we both know that its not is not the easiest thing to displace a cruiser full of people somewhere new along with any cultural and theological differences and I do not think that you know this fleet nor its people well enough to handle it from this side.”Taking a deep breath, Karthi finished his acceptance of integration into this petty Imperium for now.
“And so I will commit my resources to your cause in securing the basic necessities of resources for your people. However, I refuse to levy troops in wars of simple petty power struggles, I must make that clear; I do pray that such a day will never happen.”Karthis’s mind was sighing; people always wanted more power, more resources, more something. Enough wasn’t ever enough and there was a strong feeling that once Gregori had what he needed, he’d fabricate a claim that he would need something else and this is how Slaaneshi heresy starts, with excess and the need for more. But that was an issue for some other time.
“And on a passing not, we do survive not to live, but survive to protect. As you’ve seen here, we are carrying some items of… notable worth. So, shall we now finally sign the pact?”Gregori smiled turned away from Karthis, and another into the fold. "
Of course. Your requests are sound and easily allowed. We can discuss things more in detail with our full retinues, after all Karthis you are now one of the most powerful men in the system,", he picked up a glass of the fine amasec, pouring a glass for himself and one for Karthis, "
You will no longer need to starve, or be stuck in the dark. You and your people now have my full support.", he smiled and offered the glass.
"
To an Imperium Reborn!"
Taking the glass of amasec in his hand, he held it up to Gregori's, just a little bit higher than his. With a small "clink" Karthis toasted and took small sips to savor the taste rather than downing the fine drink all at once. Refreshed he began the walk out with Gregori, no doubt to escort him elsewhere or back to his transport after Karthis's last four words in the meeting room faded into the air:
"An Imperium Aeturnum."
