My reaction at being dragged into that pseudo-warp dimension of machinery was…Well, I think it was warranted.

I rushed out of the Krata and immediately ran down Yanbel.

"Yanbel, I can fucking see them now!" I whisper-shouted, you would think that someone with lenses implanted into his face wouldn't have the ability to have his eyes go wide in shock, but they did, the metal shutters on his lenses doing a good job as a substitute for eyelids.

"...what?" He whispers, the first time I've heard his voice not tinged with his Vox. I place my hands on his shoulders and give him a firm shake.

"I can see them, Yanbel. I met them…I held them in my arms. I negotiated with the Krata, she's adorable, but at the same time terrifying. But my children. Penance, Drake, Repentia, Terentia, and Omnium. I saw them." I spoke, and Yanbel let out a shuddering breath as he pulled me away moving into a shaded area away from prying eyes.

"We need to get hold of a remembrancer, David…a visual, a direct visualization of the machine-spirit…it's unheard of…you'll be declared a saint." He whispered, religious fervor entering his voice before I shook my head.

"We can't afford that delay, Yanbel. I'm excited, sure, but I will not get held here when there's work to be done in the field." I stated firmly, earning a nod.

"We wouldn't allow that, David, you'd burn half of the planet to ashes in your fury." Yanbel stated with a chuckle.

"I'm not that bad, Yan."

"Yes, yes you are, David. Now tell me…What were they like? Did they have your eyes? What of Omnium? Does he hold to the teachings?" Like the earnest uncle he was meant to be, Yanbel immediately started asking for details, and I felt a grin grow on my face.

"Tell you what, let's get settled into the Krata, and I'll tell you as much as I can. I'll probably be seeing a lot more of them from now on, so by the time a remembrancer does show up, I'll have better descriptions to give them."

Time moved quickly. With legions of Magos descending on the Krata for repairs and retrofit. Having a direct line of communication with the Machine Spirit led to no more guesswork, simply ask for the diagnosis and apply the proper treatment from the Krata Directly.

I spent most of my time leading the work crews, essentially just working as the relay, I would ask the Krata what needed to be fixed, relay that information to the senior Magos of the work crew, and they would take over from there. Occasionally, there would be an issue, or an overzealous acolyte that did something the Krata couldn't stand for, and I would have to go over and raise hell. Not to say I wasn't still working on my own capabilities. I still trained with Raya, Anya, Venters and Tu'Shan, but time is no one's friend.

Raya, over the course of the following months, developed a proper baby bump…I will be honest, I wasn't ready. I don't think I'll ever be ready, burt when I saw that, that tiny bump underneath the wall of muscle that was Raya's abdomen…when I felt the first kick of my child…I nearly broke down crying in joy.

"It'll be soon." Raya spoke, in one of our few evenings alone together, resting in the former Chapter Master's quarters. It was sanitized, completely stripped of any sigils or regalia of the Minotaurs. I was still getting used to it.

"How do you know? You're only six months in…that doesn't math out." I spoke softly, resting next to her in our bed.

"I have lived for over a thousand years, months pass in a blink, Husband." Raya chuckled, giving a catlike stretch. "But no, I feel them…their heartbeat. They're going to be the first Natural Born Custodes…my child. Our child."

Raya turns to me and gives a smile that etches itself into my heart.

"They will be magnificent, David. Absolutely Magnificent."

I can't help the dopey grin that grows on my face as I behold my pregnant wife practically glowing in excitement.

"I love you, Raya." I speak softly, earning a sly grin from the Custodian.

"I know. It was inevitable." She speaks, reclining in our bed and resting her hands on her bump. "You were mine the moment I laid eyes on you. Your body was mine then and there, to protect and guide. Now, your heart is mine. Of course, that's not to say that you don't hold a place in my heart."

"You've been fairly clear on that, Raya." I chuckled, gesturing to the growing bump.

"I just wished to clarify further: I love you too, David. And I look forward to raising a family together." Raya ends by leaning over and planting a kiss on the top of my head.

It was a good night.

A few more weeks passed, and I discovered the joys and frustrations that came with having an apprentice.

Zacchaeus was eager, willing to learn. But God Damn was he green.

"You're Fifteen, Zach. How are you a novice in weapons manufacturing on Mars of all places at Fifteen?" I asked, helping the young acolyte press and pin the barrel of his first repair: A Godwyn-De'az pattern Bolter.

"I was assigned to vehicular manufatorums, Interrogator-Magos. I can pull apart an engine and put it back together in fifteen minutes and twenty-six seconds, when Magos Daraen angered the power pack manufactorum, it was my first day in munitions." Zacchaeus explained, before firmly pulling the lever of the press down, securing the barrel to the action before utilizing his single mechadendrite to tap in the retainer pin.

"Then you'd best pay attention. You've got a lot to learn, and we don't have all the time in the world to get to it. I'll teach you as best I can, but we're going to be working the entire time, just as we are now, there's no room for beginner's mistakes in this game. The machine spirits can and will let their displeasure be known if you're doing something wrong, especially since you're following me around."

"I'm a fast learner, Sir. I've learned all the rites and have read all the scrolls. I only need practical instruction." Zacchaeus declares firmly, meeting my gaze without faltering. He had shaken off his initial fear, which was good. He's got some spine to him, I sent a smirk his way.

"I think we're gonna work just fine together, kid. Come on, Ol' Patton's been bitching about getting a new barrel."

At eight months, and two weeks, Raya's water broke.

We got her over to our quarters almost immediately, and I gave a grateful nod to Venters and Vergil, who were already setting up a guard, alongside Anya, Triton, and Soline.

Zacchaeus, the poor kid, had Victoria pressed into his hands and a position in the guard detail.

"Listen to the others, don't let anyone else in. I have to go." I spoke quickly, before darting inside myself.

Inside of the quarters, I was met with a few someones I wasn't expecting.

Leonidas, Captain-General of the Adeptus Custodes.

"Shut up, sit down, and hold her hand. I'll be handling the delivery." He spoke firmly, and I did so.

"Do not worry, my son. Things will work out just fine." My savior spoke, even as Raya's first contraction started, and I felt the bones in my hand turn to powder.

The group gathered outside of the Interrogator's quarters of the Krata held a silent vigil, guarding the process that was the delivery of life unto the world…

And subject to all the sounds and sensations that came with it.

"YOU DID THIS TO ME!" -CRK-CK-

"Grrrmmph! Raya…You're doing fine, it'll be okay-"

"SHUT UP! JUST SIT THERE AND ACT CUTE! GGRGRAH I SWEAR TO THE EMPEROR I WILL MAKE YOU FEEL THIS PAIN, DAVID JAMES!"

"CALM YOURSELF, SHIELD-CAPTAIN!"

"FUCK YOU LEONIDAS, I'LL SHOVE THAT SPEAR UP YOUR ASS SIDEWAYS!"

"...oi swear on me mum you're gonna regret that…jus' fookin push."

"OUR MOTHER WAS A MOUNTAIN, LEONIDAS! I AM PUSHING YA GIT!"

"Could you not ease her pain, Lord?"

"Blame Eve for the pain, my hands are tied."

"I SAID SHUT UP, DAVID JAMES! RRRAAAAAGH!"

"Waaaaaaahghahahaaaaa!"

Hours of yelling and the sounds of pain, silenced…save for the first cries of a new life entered to the world.