Dazed, arms led Jastilus led further into the room, in his handicapped state his unseen guide was all that kept him from crashing to the ground. Slowly lowered on to a long seat, his head hung limply at the neck chin resting on his chest, his breath rasping with the strain of staying conscious, thankful for the help he was receiving.
Now resting on the chair, Jastilus allowed his senses to slowly filter back, effort no longer focused on standing. The gentle and aromatic fragrance of coffee warming his lungs as he breathed in relief. Voices echoed around the room, though in his state he had trouble recognising what people were saying, unusual accents masking their words. A spectrum of colour played before his eyes as his vision struggled to focus as he sat, head resting along the back of the chair. Jastilus longed for his comfortable spire home, wishing he was back in his mundane but reliable routine.
Someone pressed a cold glass to his lips by an unseen hand, draining the cool liquid graciously, head clearing as the water rushed down his throat. Inhaling deeply as he once again opened his eyes to the harsh light, he saw several unfamiliar faces staring down upon him. The closest person in the room was a young woman, greeting his gaze with a warm smile, a brilliant green eye framed by loose brown hair. The dull red glow of a bionic replacement filled the gap her other eye should have occupied.
"That could have been a nasty fall, I'm glad we we're on the way to check in on you!" the womans spoke softly, voice soothing Jastilus, she let out a slight laugh at his surprised smile.
"You certainly look more lively than the last time we inspected you." The woman spoke again, garbed head to foot in a long carmine robe, the thick fabric hanging loosely over her body, trimmed with ornate gold embroidery.
From what Jastilus knew, she was a lower member of the Machine Priesthood, not far into adulthood like himself. In addition to her cybernetic eye, the Tech-Priest had numerous other augmentations adorning her arms and neck, wires running the length of her forearm lying just beneath her skin. Jastilus expected further modifications resided beneath the all-encompassing robe. As she stood her dark brown hair shimmered with the light, falling loosely over her shoulders, drawing herself fully upright she stood at around the same height as Jastilus.
"I'm Tech-Adept Solaria!" the woman beamed with her introduction. "We should probably get you acquainted with everyone, and then brief you on your situation..."
However her introduction ended sharply as an imposing figure moved forward, even without speaking he issued a clear order to halt.
"There will be time later, I require answers from out visitor." the figure spoke in a low volume, his sinister voice laced with calm authority.
Without a word the crew vacated the room, glancing round Jastilus could see he was in a crew lounge, dark green walls stood adorned with intricate panel work, several long seats sat in a half circle angled towards a large screen embedded in the wall. The dark wooden floor polished to perfection.
Unease washed over Jastilus as the figure approached, heavy footsteps echoing throughout the now empty room. Clad in exquisite armour, carefully crafted and painstakingly maintained, Jastilus sat in fear and awe of this intimidating figure. Upon black carapace intricate patterns gleamed in stark white, the strange designs darting across the dark plates. Jastilus could feel the stern gazed fixed upon him, grey eyes piercing and frozen, dark shadows clung underneath, increasing their unsettling effect. Momentarily Jastilus managed to break from his fixed stare, heart stopping when he saw the dreaded "I" of the Inquisition embossed on the mans armour.
"Jastilus Havlock of the Noble House of Belriatrus?" the speaker shocked Jastilus with knowledge of his name, barely managing to nod in acknowledgement.
"It seems we have much to discuss, I want to know everything."