CHAPTER VI: TECHNOLOGY
The Chasm, as you know from your visit, was a great facility, in which Hell's mighty cybernetic warriors were brought to life. It could not have been built without utilizing the technology that we claimed from that first alien race that we conquered. What we assimilated was their advanced knowledge of cybernetics and genetics.
Over a vast abyss of toxic vapors, we built the great factory. I was there and watched as the fruits of our conquest developed into something of great value. The Chasm was a vast compound – it consumed a lot of energy and therefore needed its own energy source. Such a source was crafted by the infernal smiths of Mount Erebus – a great crystal encased in rings of arcane metals that were used for the most powerful of warlock spells. That source was installed within the deepest bowels of the facility. On the upper levels were the great chambers where ores were smelted and chemicals blended. There was a tower through which the streams of toxic waste passed so that metal and mineral residues could be extracted and used for specific constructs. The great control room was set close to the cargo bay where raw materials were received. From there the whole process of production was controlled and the designs for the various constructs entered into the memory of the infernal machines that navigated everything with cold precision.
To safely dispose of all the toxic waste that was produced, the factory was set above the Chasm, where all slime and corrosive sludge went. In time, the Chasm was filled with vile substances and became a source of powerful poisons that were used for much of the arcane research that was carried out in Hell. Yes, there was research of weapons and defensive equipment. We never fully developed the chemical weapons that we planned to create. If we had succeeded, humanity might have met a different, darker end. That slime was also good breeding ground for many types of abominations – Mancubi and Cacodemons were quite related to that venomous pit. The foul vapors that rose from it attracted many kinds of creatures that were subdued by our vile powers and used as loyal guardians of the facilities of Hell.
The Chasm became the greatest technological facility of my realm. The House of Pain was also a place of great developments as it served the dual purpose of providing food and emitting pure essence of pain into Hell's atmosphere, strengthening the arcane powers that abounded everywhere throughout the realm. Those powers were enhanced by the presence of a wide variety of anomalous materials that had powerful magical properties. Enriched with those materials, Hell's crust emanated raw arcane energy that had a large impact on the demonic species that inhabited the infernal planes, and allowed powerful spellcasters to arise and weave their intricate spells with ease and accuracy. The feeling of all that power flowing around me was great – I felt strong, confident and full of will to live. You, human, are not attuned to the powers of magic, you cannot feel what I can, and you can never know what it is like to have that power in your grasp and be able to bend it to your will...
Yet, one more power was utilized in the Chasm – the power of the defeated aliens' technology and experience that we claimed after condemning them to extinction. Our army's power grew as it had never grown before with the aid of these aliens' wisdom.
Their genetic knowledge had brought those creatures to a level at which they could produce anything organic within hours. Baphomet's plan was of cybernetic warriors that would be driven by vengeful souls. So we started producing brains. High–quality brains, designed to possess great logical and analytical potential. And those brains were "empty" – no consciousness or soul to command them. Ready to use as we saw fit. And I was given the honor to choose what souls would inhabit those brains of our future warriors.
I spent a long time in the Soul Libraries in the Monster Condo – souls are kept there in crystal containers. All kinds of interesting specimens. What I needed was both quality and quantity so that many warriors could be produced. And I came upon the souls of the fallen ancient Atlanteans – the ones I fought against on Earth. Tortured and filled with hatred, those souls would be the perfect engine for Hell's newest creations – the Arachnotrons! Utilizing powerful armor alloys, advanced hydraulic mechanisms and top–conditioned plasma cannons, we assembled those creatures, gave them the freshly produced brains (complete with eyes) and then imbued those brains with the souls.
The result was brilliant – they were filled with hatred and loyal to Hell. They were able to gain elegant control over their new bodies and drive them into battle, frying enemies with bolts of burning plasma. They were perfect – you know that from the great troubles you had whenever you encountered those monstrosities. Quite often, they almost succeeded in killing you. Almost...
With more powerful armor and enormous components, we could create a greater version of those Arachnotrons. Still, we would not be able to produce many of those giant spiders, so it was decided that they would serve as filed commanders rather than warriors. The greatest possible legs and components were produced. To them, giant extra–speed chainguns were added; chainguns that used ammo more powerful than those ridiculous bullets you used. Enormous, super–intelligent brains were produced as well. But we hadn't decided what to imbue them with...
Once again, I spent much time in the libraries looking for answers. And I was pleased to discover the souls of all the members of my Council of Necromancers that served me faithfully over the centuries. Many members had lived and died during my reign and had enough souls for a considerable amount of the future... Spider Masterminds! Still loyal to me and filled with boiling hatred, those souls gladly and readily accepted their new role in Hell and gave life to the giant spiders. From then on, they were to be Hell's generals that would direct our demons in battle.
I had to choose a Mastermind that would rule above all the other. I chose the one that carried the soul of the necromancer who helped me with the creation of the Blur Orbs. He also recorded the discovery's history and usage as well as the theory of darkness blending in the physical world. All this knowledge was kept in the form of a great black tome that... I will not tell you where it is – you're not prepared for such knowledge... That necromancer was also the first to try out a Blur Orb – the first Orb was too powerful and the invisibility effect did not wear out. So he remained partially invisible (blurred) even after his death (they had difficulties burying him). But that made him leader of the council though... Anyway – he was chosen to be the Mastermind of the Masterminds. With this duty came the responsibility to rule over Inferno from the fortress of Dis... This is the first Mastermind you encountered, human, in Dis. And how damn lucky you were to face the Masterminds' leader and defeat him...
And one final implementation of the alien knowledge was the creation of the Cyberdemons. For in their nature it was the impossibility to walk upon a world other than Hell. We had tried to bring those nameless ancient demons to other worlds – but they quickly lost their strength and eventually died. Technology solved that problem. Many organs of the Cyberdemons were changed with amazing in their complexity electronic elements and cybernetic components. The new Cyberdemons could now walk other worlds and bring swift wrath to all who defy Hell's will. We also improved those demons – a strong heavy metal leg and the powerful rocket–launcher made the Cyberdemons our ultimate bringers of destruction.
The Chasm also produced metal alloys that were used in our buildings and fortifications. Sophisticated devices increased the efficiency of our activities, and we were able to expand the range of the weapons that we used. Technology was a very beneficial addition to our arsenal, and with it, Hell became even stronger and more threatening for the mortals that trembled in our shadow. I fondly remember of that time of progress, now that you led to our ruin. No chasm is large enough to contain the anger that arises within me, at the thought that everything is lost. Back to the tale of my life...
In later centuries, I was once again involved with the Earth and humanity. Here is what happened...