Early 36th Millennium, dawn of the Plague of Unbelief
Habalus Cluster within the Abalatian Reach
Surface of Parm, colonial territory of the Imperial world Lech
Three months after the Ascension of Basil Cadmus into the Inquisition…
Rain fell in sheets onto the ground, making the green grasses slick and turning to mud the packed dirt road which separated them. Through the dark rain, twin beams of light moved across the mud, followed by the heavily armoured four-wheeled vehicle they were emitted from. The vehicle continued along the muddy road, heading straight to a large blast door built into the side of a hill so enormous that it was almost a mountain. As the vehicle approached, the blast door slid open, revealing a very large and well-lit underground hangar, through which it drove. After passing through the opening, the vehicle passed between rows of vehicles before finally pulling into a marked spot in front of a single-entry door that had a large blast door to its left. The lights of the vehicle darkened and then a large back door swung open simultaneously with a door on the side. Out of the back stepped Attalus and out the side stepped an individual almost as large as the Techmarine.
Attalus glanced over at the occupant he had shared the vehicle with.
The other figure's bulk was augmented by an enormous cybernetic chassis built into his back that was similar to that of Attalus, the Mechanicus Implants of an Enginseer. More than a dozen mechadendrites protruded out from under a rust red tabard hung overtop his torso. One mechadendrite had a bolt pistol built into it while another had a dormant power blade configuration with the remainder ending in an assortment of robotic tools, data ports and articulated "hands". However, where Attalus walked via his own legs augmented by power armour, the individual had large cybernetic replacements which appeared more like smaller versions of the legs belonging to a Sentinel Walker.
Sergei may be merely an Enginseer, but is he planning to develop Parm and declare it a forge world with he as its master? Attalus asked himself. Where does his allegiance lie? If he holds closely to the Mechanicus and one or more of its factions, that may bode ill as he may feel obligated to inform any of the Priesthood he encounters that I am a living member of the Void Spectres. But if he does not, that may be an entirely different problem itself.
He quickly glanced around the hangar.
The underground hangar was larger than he expected to be under the control of a single Enginseer and was both clean and well-lit. There were many rows of tracked vehicles with a dozer blade mounted to the front. The Land Crawler, Attalus noted. Perhaps the most common STC still in use. Glancing to his right, he spied a large number of STC mining vehicles known as Termites and a number of construction vehicles, Galvanic Servohaulers. On either side of him were a small number of menials wearing dark blue coveralls moving from machine to machine and engaging in simple tasks such as cleaning off dirt and mud or using a small hand pump to add grease to bearings. The menials momentarily raised their heads to glance at Attalus and the Enginseer, then went back to work.
"Follow me," Sergei said and walked to the single door. The door opened at the Enginseer's approach, revealing a corridor beyond, and he stepped through. Attalus followed immediately after him and the two began walking down the corridor, passing a number of single-entry doors in succession on the right wall.
What is in the bay behind the blast door? Attalus pondered. We are walking parallel to it right now on our left.
"Unlike most Tech-Priests, I have not been very focused in my studies," Sergei said. "I started as an Enginseer but further testing indicated I would excel as a Logis. But I grew bored, and as a result, my performance did not match the requirements and I was transferred into the Artisan program. Again, I grew bored, and as a result, my performance did not match the requirements and I was returned to the Enginseer program. Eventually, I was sent to this world because I was the only available Enginseer whose production output Vichka was able to spare at the time. I have remained here ever since," Sergei said. He gave a long mechanical laugh, an odd sound coming from his voice replicator. "The menials I work with say I have been exiled here, but I prefer it that way." Sergei continued to laugh, then abruptly ceased his laughter and stopped walking beside a single-entry door on the left wall.
"Please, do not be alarmed by my mannerisms," he said. "I spend as much time interacting with the menials who work under me as I do with the machines at my disposal and their spirits. I also rarely interact with a fellow member of the Priesthood such as yourself."
Attalus did not respond to the Enginseer's words. As a Techmarine, he had been indoctrinated into the Machine Cult and was considered at least an Enginseer in their hierarchy. He was not pleased to have had his association with the order that destroyed his Brothers to have been so openly pointed out, but realized the Enginseer's words were leading somewhere. I did not realize how boring it was to experience an Enginseer obtusely working his way to a point, Attalus decided. I hope I am not that boring.
"I will be forward with you, Adept Attalus," Sergei said. "I have noticed that you have forsaken the standard markings of a Techmarine as dictated by the Codex Astartes. I am also aware of what the Machine Cult of Vichka did to your Brothers and I feel a statement must be made." The Enginseer waited a moment before continuing. "I believe their actions were in error and I will not send forth communications that may endanger you or your remaining brothers."
"Your expression is appreciated," Attalus replied. He's still working his way into saying something. What is it?
"Which brings me to the point I was going to make," Sergei said. "There are many dangers in this galaxy that threaten us. Dangers that we ignore at our own peril when we fight amongst ourselves. And one of those things is something I have seen referred to as Kaos. Something Humanity is blind to but is perhaps our greatest danger."
This is one of those entirely different problems, Attalus decided and prepared to activate his power axe. What more information can I draw from him before I kill him?
"I'm certain you have questions," Sergei said. "Follow me and I will explain." Sergei turned his back to Attalus and manually opened the door, then stepped through.
Attalus quickly scanned with his built-in augurs and saw no indications of weapons or targeting systems being activated. He stepped through the door, then stared at what lay before him.
He was within a hangar that was even larger than the one he had first entered. A handful of Land Raiders were lined up in front of him, facing his left toward the blast door they had entered beside. Land Raider Spartans, Attalus recognized in awe. Since the Great Crusade, few forge worlds retain the capability of manufacturing them. His augurs quickly scanned the remainder of the hangar. There were eight vehicles, each supported by four walker legs rather than wheels and tracks. Each vehicle had a combination of servo-arms, omni-tools, and ammo hoppers. Attalus' scanner quickly determined their make. Iron Legs, Knight support vehicles. But his gaze went beyond the Iron Legs as his scanner continued collecting data. Four more "walker" type vehicles were beyond the Iron Legs, none of which had an apparent cab to hold a driver but rather had an opening he could seat himself in with his torso remaining outside. No Data Available, his scanner informed him. But his eyes had already moved on to what lay beyond. Rising out of the ground was a structure, the scope of which made apparent that much more was visible beneath the surface. A structure with numerous menials walking about it in blue coveralls. Incomplete Scan. Identity ninety percent determined. Mars Pattern Forge Tender. Attalus stared in shock. That Tender could maintain a small fleet by itself.
"But there's more," Sergei said. "Beyond and beneath the Forge Tender is another vessel, one of human construction but of no known STC or variant. A vessel of a previously unknown civilization named the Interex."
Attalus turned to the Enginseer as his scanners continued collecting data.
"This Forge Tender is named Veeland's Kiln," Sergei said. "The Kiln was part of the 63rd Expeditionary Fleet alongside the Sons of Horus during the Great Crusade…before the Sons turned traitor with half the Mechanicum. The Fleet was operating in Segmentum Ultima and the Kiln was part of a battle formation fighting the Interex in the vicinity of a massive alien Warp gate. While the battle progressed, the Warp gate activated. An Aeldari frigate passed through and began to aid the Interex vessels. The remaining vessels retreated back through the Warp and a portion of the Sons of Horus battle formation followed. The Kiln should have remained behind but Admason Alclear, the Magos in command, was unable to resist the opportunity to pass through the open gate. The Quest for Knowledge demanded he follow, and he did."
"I have heard of the Interex and knew they had some sort of connection to the Reach," Attalus told Sergei, momentarily casting to the side his thoughts of killing the Enginseer as he pondered what Basil had discerned from the golden bow.
"Really, that is fascinating, but did you know the Interex vessel is the reason I brought up Kaos? The vessel had a considerable store of data which they had collected and which explained the dangers involved." Sergei said.
"I did not know that," Attalus lied.
"Anyway, after passing through the gate, the vessels emerged in the Bennu Cloud. The Interex vessel buried here fled and the Kiln followed it while the other battling vessels passed through another open gate. The records indicate that there were several gates present, not just one."
"Several Warp gates in the Bennu Cloud?" Attalus asked the Enginseer.
"Yes," he answered. "But this is the interesting bit. The Interex and the Kiln exited the Warp over Parm, and so intent was Alclear on studying the technology of the Interex that the Kiln attacked the vessel, quickly wrecking it, which forced it to crash here. They then landed with intent to explore the wreckage but a new enemy arrived on the scene. This enemy was an amphibious species which they had not previously encountered. A species with sophisticated walkers and anti-grav vehicles. The last recorded entries indicate the already depleted Mechanicum forces were being rapidly overwhelmed. It appears that the Mechanicum forces lost and that the xenos simply left the field of battle is as."
The amphibious race would be the Slann that Matthias and Draegoth have instructed me regarding. Attalus considered the situation in front of him. If my Brothers and I are ever to rebuild the Void Spectres, we will need voidships and the capability to conduct maintenance availabilities, Attalus noted in his head. "Would you show me this Tender?"
"I would be delighted to," answered Sergei and immediately turned toward the superstructure as he continued talking. "I have considerable skill and knowledge regarding plasma reactors and have succeeded in restarting that of the Kiln. For now, it is serving as my personal forge. However, I am sadly lacking in Gellar Field capabilities as well as general voidship maintenance and construction techniques."
"Which leads to the reason for my arrival," Attalus said. "A fleet of vessels from the League of Black Ships just completed its journey through the Abalatian Pass to gather psykers from this side of the Chimaera's Breath. The cruisers encountered severe disturbances in the Warp during their transit. All nine were damaged in some form or another with four having received significant damage. The fleet has parked itself in high orbit over Abalus. While the Adepts of the Astra Telepathica are gathering the tithe of psykers from Abalus, Maxell, Ryazon, and Vorn, the Mechanicus on this side of the Chimaera's Breath are doing what they can to repair the vessels, but time is of the essence and they need skilled help. I was asked to help and was sent here to seek your aid."
The Enginseer stared at Attalus through his cybernetic eyes. "I have so much to do and uncover here," he said.
"But think of the opportunity," Attalus countered. "Think of the opportunity to acquire the voidship skills and knowledge you admitted you lacked. Knowledge and skill that you need if you wish to repair this vessel and see it enter the void again." Attalus also noted in his head, The knowledge and skill I hope you will use to help us build and maintain a fleet as we rebuild our chapter.
"I will consider your request while I show you my forge. Please, follow me," Sergei answered. "The Imperium and Mechanicum both need more individuals such as yourself, individuals capable of putting aside grievances when work needs to be accomplished and problems need to be solved. That reminds me, I have a book that I believe will be of particular interest to Inquisitor Matthias and will give to you for him. You may wish to peruse its contents before passing it on. I had considered transferring its possession to Inquisitor Masina but she has close ties to the Mechanicus of Vichka and I did not want to bring her prying eyes to Parm."
