{picture of the knight in the previous chapter}
Why do the knights exist… what is their purpose… and why do they command so much authority? Formed from Special families who are rich in history…glorified and deified, they risk everything to join their minds with their partnered machine…
Ancient worlds lost or forgotten, they protect their kings and queens... Whole empires fall and rise to their call… even chaos can't seem to let them go… forge in fire and deals they grow… to the mechanicus tools of greatness and to chaos monster to be used…
I have witnessed on my own knight world their greatness… but also their horror… not by power… but by what it means for a pilot to jump into that seat… cold and heartless… with tubes and wires interconnecting into their souls… memories of past riders... Of old family…. To keep control…
In all sizes, they march… through cities and oceans! For the biggest ones carry whole cities on their shoulders and through their inner workings… oh! My princeps... What you have given…. Everything to be in a jar floating in water… but when the orcs came… and as they burned our cities… you stood tall and mighty like a titian you are!
But even then…. The machine spirit that 'lies' within is unquestionable… ruthless and beautiful… the commanding officers do not do it justice… as you judge the orcs… as you judge the Drukari who sought to take advantage of the war… I remember those days… as I still remember the smell of the rain... As if it was yesterday…
I remember the black flags… the ships… the orc war machines… I remember the smell of sulfurs…. The grey clouds… over the city… the screams and cheers… the pleas of the citizens… oh... How… I still remember… the martyr's blood….
On my feet, as bullets passed my head… the thunder and the lighting…. Providing flashes…. I remember slipping in pools of brown water… even when the canon roared and the orc bosses fled… I still remember that taste of metallic in my mouth… as I tore out the blade from within my gut… MY KNIGHT!
I remember giving the last for my house… as my knight rose to its feet, on its own! My heartbeat-ed as I… watched you fall! My titan… my Princeps… I'm sorry that I couldn't protect you! But even as I died… I made sure the orcs would never forget the name… of the house Vulker
→Excerpt by Golphytes lord of lore of house Vulker←
As the base shook, the rippers fled into any nooks and crannies they could find, while the slower ones were picked off one by one by the battle servitors! while the hot blue plasma blended smoothly with the blood of the rippers, at least Layla thought so…
And while the smoke cleared and the full sight of the servant servitors came into view, Layla held a question in her mind as she compared the servitors to the weirdly clean mechanicus 43- sea, but even a beauty in dark skin still held a dangerous vibe!
With cybernetics hidden throughout her body, 43- sea still looked strangely more human than machine, as she still had a flat human stomach that showed through her robe, and her golden cross earrings shone brightly but under the face mask and plated armor, that not only hid her voice, that changed as she talked in a younger tone to an older tone in a special sequence.
While on her back, she carried a grey device that glowed in many special liquids, liquids that the tentacle arms would inject into a person. But what type of liquid, Layla hadn't the clue nor did she have the time to ask. As the base shook again, but the vibration was several times more valiant than when the servitor blasted some rippers.
{what is going on!} yelled Layla to the team
To her question, 43-sea walked back into the hidden chamber, and by the monitors, she said:
[hmmm… it looks like some chaos spawn is currently engaged with some Eldar…]
{dammit! Does that dog ever quit? It's been chasing us for too long now!} replied Layla with her eyes glued to the screen.
[wait! Did I hear that right? Did you say a chaos spawn? And it's been chasing you! The hell! Witch!] screamed Dylan, but ignoring his outburst, Layla continued:
{sigh, 43-sea… you know as well as I do, that the walls of this base can't stop something that size… is there anything in this base… that can at least slow it down? If it gets to the train…}
[well… the catalog of this base states, that there is still one Knight Warden class titan… but] interject 43-sea with confidence.
{but what?}
[it's a new experimental model made using a Tau alien construct as a base skeleton… untested and unrefined… even I cannot dare calculate if it would work, or if the machine spirit inside is of an alien…]
[alien tech? Since when does the mechanicus experiment with such heresy? Has the Inquisition said anything about this?] question Dylan
[heresy…. Hmm…yes, normally you would be correct in that assumption… but even so, we must continue to explore… AH! But don't worry... The vile AI in the machine has been dealt with!] replied 43- sea with a tint of disdain
{ok, well this is all nice and good but… how are we going to pilot it? None of us here can pilot a knight… as in neither of us has been through the proper procedure to take such an undertaking.} replied Layla as she looked to 43-sea for an answer
[interesting… you should say such a thing… battle sister… as my health scan are telling me a different story….] replied 43-sea with a robotic head tilt as she approached Layla in an inspecting and rude manner,
[yes… you can't fool my eyes! You have undergone some but incomplete knighthood… the tools are there… they just lay dormant in you… yes... I recognize these marks… now, this must be fate set up by the Omnissiah himself!] continued 43-sea with crazy excitement in her eyes
{what do you mean? I mean I know I'm from a knight world but still… I don't remember doing any rites or rituals to become a knight…} replied Layla with confusion
[Blood doesn't lie! Battle sister… the probability is 100% that you are a child of the mechanicus! What is the name of your knight world!] replied 43-sea with joy
{Aurous IV… I think}
[you think? Hmm… yes… the blood records…]
Hearing the name of the knight world, caused a slight twitch to appear over 43-sea eyelids for a second before she replied:
[by probability! this is by the Omnissiah! Completing the rites will only take a few moments! In fact, we can do them as we make our way down the elevator to the hangar!]
{wait! Wait! Hold up 43-sea! Just because I was from a knight world and somehow had an incomplete rite, doesn't mean I know how to pilot a freakish war machine!} screamed Layla in protest
[this is correct, however, when you successfully connect your brain with the machine, the spirit that dwells within shall show what you need to know…]
{really?}
[..]
{43-sea?}
[probably]
{probably?}
[yes... Probably…]
{and if it doesn't? What do we do then?}
[oh! You won't have to worry about that if it fails…]
{why?}
[because you'll be dead or consumed by the machine spirit... So, what happens after isn't something you need to worry about…]
{43-sea!}
[burrrrr! Either you do this and we live or we all die! And before you ask, the probability we live without you piloting is Zero percent! If you do it's 40% and yes, your chances of bounding with the machine spirit are also 50/50… well it may be less...]
{less than 50%? Why!} screamed Layla in protest
[because we, no I will have to perform the rite and prayers in a rush matter! Under normal circumstances, the prayer would be at minimum an hour before you even attempt to bind your minds!] replied 43-sea with a sly smile...
Seeing 43-sea cheeky smile, Layla takes a deep breath before saying:
{So, you're saying I must risk my life on a 50% chance… well… it's better than 100% death if we do nothing…sigh, emperor protects…}
Seeing Layla finally accept the reality of the situation 43-sea, places her hand on Laylas' shoulder and says in a relaxed manner:
[I'm glad you understand… and I do hope you succeed as I look forward to looking at the data that comes from this…]
With a plan in motion, the team left the command center, but stopped, as Dylan stared at the golden spear that saved his life. He then said while approaching it:
[what is this spear? And who threw it?]
[that spear… belongs to a member of the custodes… a figure who protects the emperor himself...] replied 43-sea
[wait! What! Why would there be a guardian of the emperor here? And why would he even bother to save me?] replied Dylan in sock
To his inquiry, 43-sea thought for a moment and said, while looking at Layla suspiciously:
[I called him here… well his fox somehow connected to mine… I believe that he came here by the will of the Omnissiah! Here don't touch the blade… your organic arms couldn't even attempt to bear the weight of such a weapon! Let the servitor carry it.]
Watching the servitor carry the weapon, caused Dylan to scuff in annoyance, as Layla squinted her eyes and thought to herself:
{it can't be the same custodes that save me as a child, right? If it is… then…}
meanwhile, on an elevator ride down:
43-sea burned incense and prayed, while her arms were in the back mixing cocktails of chemicals, in pitch darkness, only her glowing lights lit the elevator as it descended into the depths of the hangar bay!
[isn't the power still working? Then why aren't the lights working?] Question Dylan who was flabbergasted at the sight
[power? There is no power… other than the power of the machine spirit that lives in this elevator… it has heard my prayers… though, I doubt it was only mine] replied 43-sea as she looked at Layla
Layla however, didn't respond as her mind floated in a trance-like state! That communion unconsciously with the machine spirit that lived in the base, though crippled and dying, the spirit looked like a miniature version of the base, black and sad, the spirit diverted what little energy it still had stored, to opening the doors at the end of the elevator.
But with an abrupt stop at the end, and more shaking, Dylan heard the sounds of power going out!
[This isn't good! If the power goes completely out, how are we going to open the big gate?
[relax... Guardsmen… the power is only resetting… it looks like something is happening deeper within the base power supply, that we have no knowledge of… or it could be simply because the machine spirit is scared…]
[scared? A machine spirit can feel fear? Is that even possible?]
[of course… the machine spirits can feel all kinds of emotions…] replied 43-sea
[ok, so they have emotions… so, is there anything we can do?]
[illogical… no method visible at this time other than prayer… as we have no time to check the engine room and even if we did go there, the rites and prayers and repair work would take too long…]
[so, then what are we supposed to do? Just hope for the best?]
[correct!]
[ugh!]
While Dylan was going through a mental crisis, Layla stared at the scared machine spirit, and much like a child, it shivered in fear at the cold it felt, as the generators used as its heart was slowing dying away.
Knowing there wasn't much she could do, Layla embraced the tiny spirit base and like a loving mother, could only encourage it. Encouragement that without her knowing, scent a warm wisp of power to it!
Glowing gold, the wisp entered the black castle base! Feeding its heart, and causing it to shine so brightly it kicked Layla out of the trance!
When she awoke from the trance space, what lay in front of her, was a scene of destruction! As many vehicles of all military kinds, were left broken and burned! Signs of battle everywhere as dry blood and drag marks covered every metal floor! With many skeletons receiving the emperor's mercy!
[battle sister? Are you ok? You've been standing there for a while now… you didn't even react as 43-sea began injecting you with... Well, I don't know exactly what…]
[tsk! I told you what they were! Chemicals necessary for the rite! As well as stims to increase her survival rate!] replied 43-sea upset at the indignation-al words of Dylan.
With body pains and a headache, Layla shakes her head at the sudden influx of pain! But through it, she says while looking at the knight in front of her:
{NO ENEMY SHALL BE BEYOND MY WRATH}
{43-sea... what do those words mean? And I thought you said this was a knight warden!}
[it is a knight warden… I don't understand why you are confused, and as for the inscription on the front plate, those are words uttered by our very emperor himself! During a time of a great crusade!]
{ok, if this is a knight warden... Then why is it so small? It's only 6 meters high! shouldn't be twice this size!} replied Layla as she placed her hand on the cold metal of the warden.
[oh! That… well the size of the warden is deemed reasonable as it is the first of its kind... A prototype as it were… after all, its skeleton was created using a pervious captured Tau machine… I believe they called it a Riptide XV104…]
{I see… so, how do I get in it?} replied Layla, but as the words left her mouth. The warden moved on its own accord and bent one knee as if in gesture!
With lights, and an engine roaring to go! Even 43-sea was shocked as she heard the subtle sound of the warden's reactors humming in a sweet tune.
[by the Omnissiah!]
Cautiously and nervously, Layla slowy approached the warden, and while reaching in, and seeing the lights and the seat, the monitors and the wires, the beauty of the industrial design, caused Layla's 'man' heart to pause in joy!
But she knew the lore of Warhammer knights and lore behind the binding of souls… a feeling that scared her! Sure, she had talked to the machine spirit before, hell she just got done hugging one just a few moments ago, but this will be the first time, that she will be attempting to bind her soul with one!
{43-sea will it hurt?} ask Layla a little nervous
[correct… The initial injection to the brain will cause discomfort but this is to be expected… good luck battle sister… may the emperor protect!] replied 43-sea, while Dylan was indifferent.
Hearing 43-sea through her vox, Layla felt like she had to state one last thing before melding her mind with the war machine.
{Layla….43-sea… my name is Layla… and thank you…for everything…}
43-sea didn't respond to Layla's words, she only nodded, while Layla took in a deep breath, and allowed the interconnecting wires to enter her brain!
Sharp and precise, like a blade edge cutting deep into her skull, she felt the pain and then… with eyes shrinking in and a world view changing to a space of coldness… where a blue alien Tau stood by a door, and through the door lay a machine that was half a fire cast riptide and half an imperium knight!
Small and adorable, but much like a baby wolf, its fangs still lay innocent and young! It did not fear Layla, but saw her through the eyes of a child! While the Tau guard walked to Layla and whispered in her ear:
[FOR THE GREATER GOOD!] before vanishing into nothing!