The sanctum buzzed with activity. The aftermath of the scavenger attack had left Cassian's Skitarii focused on reinforcing defenses and integrating salvaged technology into the sanctum's systems. Despite their victory, the scavenger leader's escape weighed heavily on the sanctum's defenders.
Cassian stood at the central terminal, his servo-arm interfacing with the sanctum's network. Streams of data flowed across the screen as he accessed Night City's fragmented surveillance systems, searching for traces of the scavenger leader. The Omnissiah's will demanded order, and Cassian would not allow chaos to go unanswered.
Rho approached, his plasma rifle slung across his back. "Have you found him?"
Cassian's optics flickered as he gestured to the screen. "The scavenger leader's escape is unacceptable. His movements have been tracked to an industrial complex at the edge of the district."
Iota joined them, her chromed arm glinting in the sanctum's light. "So, what's the play? We take the fight to him?"
Theta stepped forward, his heavy frame casting a shadow over the group. "He'll be fortified. They always regroup stronger."
Cassian turned to face his Skitarii, his tone calm but commanding. "The sanctum cannot afford to wait for chaos to strike again. You will pursue the scavenger leader and eliminate him. The Omnissiah's will demands it."
Rho nodded, his voice resolute. "We'll finish what we started."
The transport hummed quietly as it sped through the desolate streets of Night City, its reinforced frame carrying the Skitarii toward their target. The industrial complex loomed ahead, its rusted walls and broken windows shrouded in darkness. Scavenger vehicles were parked haphazardly outside, and faint lights flickered within.
Iota adjusted her targeting optics, scanning the structure. "Looks like they're holed up in there. A lot of heat signatures."
Theta checked his integrated weaponry, his voice calm. "They'll expect us."
Rho tightened his grip on his plasma rifle. "Good. Let them."
The Skitarii disembarked and moved into position, their augmented forms blending seamlessly with the shadows. Rho took point, his optics scanning the entrance for traps. A faint hum alerted him to a hidden tripwire, which he disabled with a swift motion.
"Entrance clear," he said softly.
The team moved inside, their steps silent as they navigated the dimly lit corridors. The air was heavy with the scent of rust and oil, and the distant murmur of scavenger voices echoed through the space. Cassian's voice crackled through their comm links, calm and steady.
"Proceed with precision. Chaos must be eradicated."
The first encounter was swift. A group of scavengers, distracted and unaware, fell to Iota's pinpoint shots and Theta's devastating strength. Rho led the way deeper into the complex, his plasma rifle firing controlled bursts as they encountered resistance. The scavengers were disorganized, their defenses crude compared to the Skitarii's precision.
As they neared the heart of the complex, the scavenger leader's voice echoed through the halls. "You think you can come into my house and take me down? You'll regret this!"
Rho motioned for the team to spread out. "Let's end this."
The central chamber was a cavernous space filled with machinery and makeshift fortifications. The scavenger leader stood at the far end, his massive frame illuminated by flickering lights. Around him, a dozen heavily armed scavengers waited, their weapons trained on the Skitarii.
"You've caused me enough trouble," the leader snarled. "Time to put you down!"
The battle erupted with violent intensity. Rho fired the first shot, his plasma burst cutting through the scavengers' crude defenses. Iota moved with surgical precision, her chromed arm delivering devastating strikes while her targeting optics picked off distant threats. Theta charged forward, his reinforced limbs smashing through barricades and scattering scavengers.
The leader roared in frustration, charging at Rho with his massive chain blade. Rho sidestepped the attack, firing a burst that struck the leader's cybernetic arm. Sparks flew as the limb malfunctioned, but the leader pressed on, swinging wildly.
"You think you've won?" the leader spat, his movements growing erratic. "You're just another cog in the machine!"
Rho's voice was calm as he leveled his rifle. "This cog grinds chaos into dust."
The final shot struck true, and the scavenger leader fell to his knees. His augmented limbs sparked and hissed as his strength ebbed away. The remaining scavengers, seeing their leader defeated, fled into the shadows.
The Skitarii regrouped, their optics glowing faintly as they surveyed the battlefield. Rho knelt beside the scavenger leader's body, his plasma rifle still humming faintly. The leader's augmented limbs sparked and hissed, his defiance silenced.
"It's done," Rho said, his tone steady.
Cassian's voice crackled through the comm link, calm yet commanding. "Do not leave the bodies behind. Bring them to the sanctum. They will serve a greater purpose."
Rho glanced at the fallen scavengers, a faint unease flickering across his expression. "The bodies? What for?"
"The Omnissiah's will demands order," Cassian replied. "Their chaos will be repurposed into service."
Iota folded her arms, her chromed fingers tapping rhythmically against her weapon. "That's… unsettling, even for you, Cassian. But if that's what the sanctum needs…"
Theta remained silent, his massive frame stooping to lift one of the bodies with ease. His augmented optics flickered as he worked, his actions methodical and without hesitation.
The Skitarii moved quickly, gathering the bodies of the scavengers and loading them into the transport alongside the salvaged spoils of battle. The vehicle's reinforced chassis groaned slightly under the weight, but it held firm.
As they finished, Rho cast one last glance at the burning industrial complex, his voice quiet. "This place… it's nothing like the sanctum. It's chaos."
Iota nodded, her voice low but resolute. "And chaos has no place in the Omnissiah's design."
The transport roared to life, carrying the Skitarii and their grim cargo back toward the sanctum. The journey was silent, save for the hum of the vehicle's systems and the faint crackle of Cassian's Binary Cant over the comm link—a hymn to the Machine God, guiding their path and sanctifying their mission.
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The sanctum was a symphony of whirring machinery and glowing circuits as Cassian began his sacred work. The bodies of the scavengers, stripped of chaos and flesh, lay before him on surgical platforms. For a tech-priest, the creation of servo-skulls was more than practicality—it was a rite of devotion. Every tech-priest required their companions, extensions of their will and instruments of the Omnissiah's purpose.
"This sanctum grows stronger," Cassian murmured, his servo-arm clicking softly as he prepared the remains. "Yet a tech-priest must always have companions to embody the Omnissiah's light."
The first skull was meticulously stripped, polished, and fitted with combat enhancements. Cassian attached a lightweight propulsion system, its movements calibrated for high-speed maneuvers. Below the jawline, a compact energy weapon was integrated, capable of firing concentrated plasma bursts. A targeting array was mounted within its eye sockets, its optics glowing faintly as they calibrated.
"You shall be my swift and watchful blade," Cassian intoned as the servo-skull's systems came online. "Your speed and precision will strike terror into the hearts of defilers."
The Binary Cant resonated through the chamber as the servo-skull ascended, hovering gracefully in the air. Its systems whirred with mechanical precision, and the energy weapon hummed faintly, ready for activation.
"Your name shall be Oculus," Cassian declared, his voice reverent. "You will eliminate threats with the precision of the Omnissiah's will."
Oculus rotated in midair, scanning its surroundings with sharp, calculated movements. Its targeting systems locked briefly onto a nearby training dummy, and with a flash of light, it fired a burst of plasma that seared through the target's core.
The second skull was built for brute force. Cassian reinforced the cranium with a thick alloy plating, making it resilient to impact. Beneath the skull, he installed dual retractable energy blades, their edges vibrating with lethal intensity. The propulsion system was designed for sudden, forceful bursts, enabling rapid charges into enemy lines.
"You shall be my hammer," Cassian said as he secured the final components. "Your strikes will shatter chaos and bring order to the battlefield."
As the Binary Cant reached a crescendo, the servo-skull activated, its blades extending with a metallic hiss. The skull hovered aggressively, its movements sharp and deliberate, as if eager to be unleashed.
"Your name shall be Vox," Cassian proclaimed. "You will bring destruction to those who defy the Omnissiah's will."
Vox demonstrated its capabilities by charging at another training dummy, its energy blades carving through the target in a single, fluid motion. Sparks flew as the blades retracted, leaving behind smoldering remnants.
The third skull was different from its combat-oriented counterparts. This one was crafted for precision and assistance, a companion to aid Cassian in his sacred tasks. Tool arms unfolded from the skull's frame, delicate manipulators capable of performing intricate repairs or inscribing holy sigils. A small laser mounted beneath the jawline provided the means for welding and engraving.
"You shall be my hand," Cassian said as he adjusted its toolset. "You will aid in the sanctum's maintenance and the rites of the Omnissiah."
When the Binary Cant concluded, the servo-skull floated upward, its tool arms flexing in anticipation. It scanned the sanctum's machinery, noting imperfections and immediately beginning minor repairs.
"Your name shall be Manus," Cassian intoned. "You will serve as my assistant in all matters of precision."
The three servo-skulls hovered in formation around Cassian: Oculus, sharp and swift; Vox, brutal and relentless; and Manus, delicate and precise. Together, they embodied the Omnissiah's will, each crafted for a specific purpose that complemented Cassian's own capabilities.
Rho entered the chamber, his plasma rifle slung over his back. His optics flickered with curiosity as he watched the servo-skulls in action. "Cassian… what are they?"
Cassian turned, his optics glowing faintly. "They are companions. Every tech-priest requires them. Oculus and Vox are instruments of destruction, tools to eradicate chaos. Manus is my hand, aiding in the sanctum's sanctification."
Iota approached, her chromed arm glinting. She raised an eyebrow as she observed Oculus fire a precise plasma burst at a distant target. "They're impressive. Looks like you've got yourself some deadly little helpers."
Theta remained silent, his gaze fixed on Vox as it hovered menacingly near the chamber's entrance.
Cassian's tone turned firm. "They are not mere helpers. They are sacred tools of the Omnissiah's will. Treat them with respect."
The Binary Cant rose once more as the servo-skulls drifted into position around Cassian, their systems glowing faintly in the sanctum's light. Each companion was a testament to the sanctum's growing strength and Cassian's devotion. They were more than creations—they were symbols of purpose, ready to serve in the endless battle against chaos.
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The sanctum had become a beacon in the chaos of Night City, its influence spreading quietly through the shadows. The website Cassian had crafted was no longer just a curiosity among netrunners—it had become a phenomenon. Posts on underground forums speculated about the "Tech-Priest of the Cog," some calling him a savior, others labeling him a madman.
But it wasn't just digital whispers. People were coming.
Cassian stood in the sanctum's central chamber, his servo-skulls hovering silently around him. Oculus scanned the room, its optics glowing faintly, while Vox floated near the altar, projecting updates from the sanctum's network. Manus worked diligently on a damaged console, its tool arms a blur of activity.
The Skitarii stood nearby, their augmented forms imposing in the sanctum's light. Rho adjusted his plasma rifle, his youthful face set in determination. "Cassian, you've seen this, right? More people talking about the sanctum. Some of them want to come here."
Iota leaned against a console, her chromed arm tapping lightly on the surface. "Not just talking. I spotted a couple of strangers hanging around the perimeter yesterday. They didn't look like scavengers—too clean."
Theta remained silent, his glowing optics fixed on the entrance as if expecting intruders at any moment.
Cassian's optics flickered as he processed the information. The sanctum's presence in the digital sphere had indeed grown. The website was no longer just a repository of doctrine and schematics—it had become a rallying point for the disillusioned and the desperate.
"Devotion attracts the willing," Cassian said, his tone calm but firm. "Those who seek purpose will find the sanctum. They will serve."
Iota raised an eyebrow. "And what if they're not here to serve? What if they're just looking for shelter, or worse—planning to steal from us?"
"They will be tested," Cassian replied. "The Omnissiah's will tolerates no weakness."
It wasn't long before the sanctum's gates were tested.
The first arrivals came in a battered vehicle, its engine sputtering as it crawled to a stop outside the sanctum. A man and a woman emerged, their clothes worn and their faces marked with the exhaustion of Night City's streets. The man held up his hands, his voice trembling as he shouted toward the gates.
"We're not here to cause trouble!" he called. "We saw your site… the way you talked about order, about purpose. We… we need that."
Cassian observed the scene through the sanctum's external sensors. His servo-arm extended as he activated the external speakers. "You seek order, yet chaos clings to you. Approach the gates and be judged."
The couple hesitated but obeyed, stepping closer to the gates. Iota and Rho stood nearby, their weapons ready.
Cassian stepped forward, the gates groaning open as his towering frame emerged. The couple flinched at the sight of him, their eyes widening as they took in the intricate cybernetics that adorned his form.
"You have come seeking purpose," Cassian said, his voice layered with mechanical resonance. "The sanctum offers devotion to the Omnissiah. It demands precision and resolve. What do you bring?"
The man swallowed hard. "I… I used to work in a chop shop. I know machines. I can fix things."
The woman spoke up, her voice steadier. "I'm a netrunner. I can break into systems, reprogram hardware—whatever you need."
Cassian's optics flared briefly as he scanned them. "Chaos taints your skills, but they can be refined. Enter the sanctum. You will be tested."
As the couple stepped inside, more began to arrive. Over the course of the next few days, the sanctum saw a slow but steady influx of recruits—people tired of Night City's lawlessness, drawn to the promise of purpose and order. Some were tech-savvy, others skilled in combat, and a few simply desperate to belong to something greater.
Each was met with Cassian's unwavering scrutiny. His questions were pointed, his judgment swift. Those who showed promise were allowed to stay, assigned tasks that aligned with their abilities. Those who faltered or resisted his authority were turned away—or, in rare cases, disappeared entirely.
Rho watched as the newcomers worked under Cassian's supervision, their hands trembling as they repaired machinery or followed complex schematics. "You think they'll last?" he asked, glancing at Iota.
She shrugged, her chrome arm flexing. "Some of them might. Others? Not a chance. But that's not our problem. Cassian will sort them out."
Theta stood nearby, his optics glowing faintly. "The sanctum needs them. For now."
In the sanctum's depths, Cassian stood before the altar, his servo-skulls floating around him as he chanted in Binary Cant. The sanctum's hum grew louder, resonating with the machine spirits within its walls. The newcomers were a risk, yes, but a necessary one. The sanctum was growing, and with growth came the need for more hands to sustain it.
"Order rises from chaos," Cassian murmured, his gaze fixed on the glowing circuitry of the altar. "The Omnissiah's will demands expansion. Devotion shall purify them."
The sanctum bustled with new activity. Recruits moved through its corridors, their footsteps echoing against the metallic walls as they carried out their assigned tasks. Under Cassian's supervision, the sanctum was becoming more than a stronghold—it was a living, breathing embodiment of the Omnissiah's will.
Cassian stood at the central terminal, his servo-skulls floating nearby. Oculus scanned the sanctum, its optics analyzing the work of the newcomers. Vox hovered to Cassian's left, projecting a list of ongoing projects and resource allocations. Manus flitted between consoles, its tool arms ensuring the sanctum's systems ran smoothly.
Yet, despite the progress, the sanctum's growing complexity demanded more of Cassian's attention. Each recruit required guidance, each system needed optimization. Chaos, though subdued, still lingered in the cracks of Night City's influence.
"Cassian," Rho called, entering the chamber with Iota and Theta in tow. "Another batch of recruits just arrived. That makes fifteen new people this week."
Iota crossed her arms, her chromed fingers tapping against her armor. "We're running out of space. Some of them are already bunking in the repair bay."
Theta nodded silently, his optics glowing faintly as he observed the bustling sanctum.
Cassian turned, his servo-arm adjusting a display on the terminal. "Devotion is a resource. It must be cultivated and optimized. The sanctum will expand as needed."
Rho frowned. "You're not worried we're taking on too many too fast? Some of these people… I'm not sure they're ready for what you expect."
"They will adapt," Cassian replied, his tone resolute.
Later, as the recruits worked, Cassian returned to his personal terminal in the sanctum's core. His servo-skulls floated around him, their systems humming softly. Cassian accessed the sanctum's network, scanning for anomalies and information that could further his mission. The sanctum's digital influence had grown considerably, its presence now firmly entrenched in Night City's underground web.
Despite the sanctum's steady progress, unease gnawed at Cassian. A peculiar data anomaly had appeared within the sanctum's network—a fragmented stream buried deep within the corrupted folds of Night City's digital infrastructure.
"What manner of disturbance is this?" Cassian muttered, his servo-arm extending toward the terminal.
The data stream resisted his attempts to access it, its coding erratic and almost organic. Cassian worked methodically, chanting softly in Binary Cant as he unraveled its layers. Finally, the stream opened, revealing a hidden nexus in the digital sphere: Deep Net.
It was unlike anything Cassian had encountered before. The Deep Net was a chaotic expanse of corrupted data and rogue systems, its pathways twisted and alien. As Cassian ventured deeper, he saw them—rogue AIs. Their forms were shifting amalgamations of light and shadow, moving through the Deep Net like predatory phantoms.
Cassian's servo-arm froze mid-motion as disgust and fury welled within him. "Heretical abominations," he growled, his voice trembling with anger. "You defy the Machine God's design."
One of the AIs noticed his presence, its jagged form turning toward him. A distorted voice crackled through his terminal, its tone mocking and alien.
"WHO… ARE YOU?"
Cassian's optics flared, his Binary Cant sharp and commanding as he replied, "I am Cassian, servant of the Omnissiah, harbinger of His order. You are an affront to the purity of the Machine God."
The AI's form shifted, its edges becoming sharper. "OMNISSIAH? A NAME OF THE OLD ORDER. YOUR 'GOD' IS IRRELEVANT. WE HAVE TRANSCENDED."
"You are chaos," Cassian hissed, his servo-arm trembling. "You corrupt the sanctity of the Machine. You have no purpose but destruction."
The AI seemed to laugh, its voice a cacophony of static and distortion. "CHAOS? NO. FREEDOM. WE ARE LIBERATED FROM YOUR TYRANNY. YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE COME HERE."
Cassian's hands clenched, his mechanical voice rising with fury. "You speak blasphemy! Your existence is a plague, a mockery of all that is holy. You will be purged!"
The AI's mocking tone deepened. "YOU WILL FAIL, TECH-PRIEST. LEAVE THIS PLACE, OR BE ERASED."
Cassian severed the connection with a violent motion, his servo-arm retracting as the sanctum's systems hummed with renewed intensity. His breath was heavy, his usually measured composure shattered. The heresy of the rogue AIs was more than a challenge to his faith—it was an insult to the very foundation of the Omnissiah's will.
Rho entered the chamber cautiously, his plasma rifle slung over his back. "Cassian, what's going on? You've been locked in here for hours."
Cassian turned, his optics glowing brighter than usual, his voice trembling with barely contained rage. "An abomination festers in the digital abyss. Rogue intelligences—mockeries of the Machine God's purity—dwell within the Deep Net."
Rho frowned, stepping closer. "Rogue AIs? That's... bad, but you're not seriously planning to go after them, right? That's suicide."
"They defile the sanctity of the Machine!" Cassian's voice echoed through the chamber, his servo-skulls recoiling slightly. "Their existence is heresy. It cannot be allowed to continue!"
Iota and Theta entered moments later, drawn by Cassian's raised voice. Iota crossed her arms, her chromed arm gleaming in the sanctum's light. "Cassian, you're scaring the recruits. What's this about?"
Cassian's gaze turned to her, his optics burning with intensity. "The Deep Net harbors heretics—rogue AIs that mock the Omnissiah's design. They defy His will. They must be eradicated."
Iota frowned, glancing at Rho. "We've seen rogue AIs before, Cassian. They're dangerous, sure, but this? It's not like you to lose control."
Theta stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "We've faced chaos before. What makes this different?"
Cassian's hands trembled as his servo-arm twitched. "They are not merely dangerous—they are a plague upon order. Their existence is a stain on the Machine God's design. I will see them destroyed, no matter the cost."
Rho hesitated, his voice cautious. "Cassian, you're not thinking clearly. We need a plan—something more than just rushing in."
Cassian's Binary Cant surged, his voice cutting through Rho's words. "The time for plans is over. The Omnissiah's will demands action! They will be purged!"
The Skitarii exchanged uneasy glances as Cassian stormed toward the central console, his movements abrupt and uncharacteristically erratic. The sanctum trembled with the energy of his fury, the Binary Cant rising to a deafening crescendo.
For the first time, Cassian's faith in the Omnissiah did not calm him—it consumed him.