Out from the shadows...

[Commissar Farzi]

And into the light.
------------
Shortly After the Gala

His consciousness returned in a sudden rush-gone was the body his soul had been garbed in-the sounds of chatter and laughter, something that he had not realized he had missed in all his years since his internment, and in its place the familiar rush of amnionic fluid, the hum of machinery. Sighing as he reactivated his systems, the old sentinel's thoughts were currently...elsewhere. First and foremost-the Gates-the Ancestor's-Damned Gates. The dangers they represented were fresh in his mind-more than one foolhardy or desperate Valhallan had attempted to control the constructs of their forbearers; with often serious, if not outright fatal consequences. The Company both old and new had happened upon such artifacts-some were so badly degraded, either through conflict or the ravages of time that even with the nanotech they had they were unable to restore them. Others had the potential to prove valuable-functional industrial equipment and hard data that had happened to survive relatively intact. Even now their best labored to unlock their secrets, and with the Old Company's records to provide them guidance, their efforts may yet bear fruit sooner or later.

Still yet even more were dangerous-built with naught more than murder and slaughter in mind. The fact they'd survived such encounters was a miracle unto itself, and now they were once again standing upon the precipice. 'No,' Stiener corrected himself as the nanofiber bundles warmed up, lubrication being applied to his joints through auto-dispensers, 'We have always dwelled upon the precipice of oblivion, and even with us managing to claw our way back from the brink, fate has seen fit to test us again.' As his optics finally came online-far slower than he would've liked, he found himself back in his gantry, listening to bustle of the technicians and soldiers outside-the sounds of orders being barked, of tools scraping and hammering. The sounds of industry, of rebuilding. Even now, they were regaining their former strength, and quickly-volunteers were flowing in, their coffers swelled, and new equipment built-it likely would still not be enough. The door the gantry groaned and roared as it opened, causing a few to look up from their work, and quickly resuming their tasks after realizing that the grandmaster had emerged from his slumber. Taking great care to avoid inadvertently squash anyone underfoot, he moved through the massive hangar, passing by numerous gantries and garages as their occupants continued their work on the company's massive fleet of vehicles. He turned down a large...highway for lack of a better word, wide enough for a trio of mechs to pass through, the center being taken up by a rail system meant to provide both a means of rapid transport throughout the base and ease logistical concerns. Making yet another turn, this time down yet another large corridor and up a massive, and thankfully unoccupied staircase that spiraled upwards. The Gates could be dealt with-while destroying them was out of the question-even if they map them, short of overloading the entire network-which depending on the failsafes in place may prevent such an action.

That and they really didn't need to fight the entirety of this reality off.

That left the other option, securing the damned things-an impossible task. Likely they would have to stick to mapping out the ones in the expanse, setting up an observation post and hope to hell they could respond in time. Unfortunately, that would end up straining their resources further. 'No....' He thought bitterly as he neared the top, before him lay the great stone double doors to one of the many meeting areas of the Council-and one of the few he could fit in, 'No...either option would likely put our people at risk, but to do nothing would be to invite disaster.' The yeomen guarding the doors quickly made room as he pushed them open, they scraped and ground across the floor. As they slowly shut behind him with a great boom, he looked the empty, circular room-rows of benches arranged in semi-circle, allowing all to view the floor and the one speaking. 'And then there is the...other problem.' The entities he'd encountered; the Senti, claiming to be a god of some sort. The precursor-one he hoped actually take up role of shepherd again, and then...the Chorus. He had a feeling they'd be trouble, if their representee's presence was anything to go by. A great beast that seemed to hunger, looking to devour all.

Yet another problem to worry about. Something had to be done regardless; His mind made up, he commed of the yeoman outside. "Assemble the council-I am calling an emergency meeting." A pause followed by; "Yes, sir."

Now, all he had to do was deal with the council and convince them of the urgency of the situation.

Joy.
--------

About 20 minutes later, members of the council were filing in-Knight Captains of the company, the heads of the various merchant guilds and regional mayors of the civilian sectors. Many of them seemed surprised to see him there in person, as he usually sent a drone to ensure that he had records of the meetings. He could hear the murmurs of surprise already-he ignored them. As they were seated, he spotted a burly many in green armor approaching him in late twenties, with ill-kempt beard and a cigar clenched bewteen his teeth. "Hot damn," Dimitri said, the prosthetic right arm plucking out the cigar, "Guess the scuttlebutt was right." Stiener sighed at the younger sentinel. "Yes, Dimitri, I am here." Before the younger man could say anything else, he held up his right arm. "I hereby call this meeting to order." A few councilors were talking quietly, before being interrupted by Dimitri's bellow of "Means shut the fuck up dickhead!" Reining in the urge to snort as his...friend was shot a number of dirty looks, if anything he was even blunter than he was-unsurprising given his origins. One of the councilmen-a man dressed in rich, brightly colored robes cleared his and stood, speaking with a high-pitched, lispy voice. "You have summoned us all here grandmaster-at least all that could make it-I can think I can speak for all of us to say it's quite the surprise to see you here, much less for you to call a meeting personally." He inclined his head, eyes looking into his optics, "I'm curious as to why?" Stiener nodded and then explained the situation-the assembled councilors listened, until he mentioned the gates, and more specifically their activation-which had triggered the predicted response-an uproar, mainly from the civilians.

"Are they mad?"
"They're inviting their own doom!"

This continued for a moment before Dimitri's bellow of "Can it ya pussies', boss ain't done yet!" This led to several council members sputtering indignantly, before the councilor from before spoke again. "You must admit Grandmaster, this development is a bit...unprecedented. And how were you able to attend this gala without leaving?" Steiner merely shrugged in response. "Likely some technology we were not aware of, still the situation cannot go ignored. I propose a full-scale mobilization in both our own and the civilian sectors." That got a few raised eyebrows, but at the same time such a proposition while unusual, would at least serve to set a few of civilians at ease-that they would be seen to be doing something and the potential profits to made would likely given them all the motivation they needed to approve such a matter. However, one of the knight-captains stood as well-a heavily scarred man of 35 winters, cleared his throat and spoke, his voice colored with concern "Grandmaster," He began, ensuring that he had everyone's attention before continuing, "While I'd like to agree with this proposition, may I remind you that the recent final tally of our forces points out that have suffered a thirty percent casualty rate across the board, with others being significantly higher in areas containing wryd storms or relics." This got a few murmurs-not a good sign, but at the same time the mobilization could help alleviate these shortfalls. "He ain't exactly wrong boss." Dimitri concurred, looking up at him, "We haven't been on a winning streak lately-whatever this batch of Duskers thinks." That was true-even with their successes in the Conclave, their pool of actual line troops was slowly being whittled down through simple attrition-soon they'd be left with naught but secondliners-not a situation they needed. He'd briefly filed away Dimitri's phasing-a problem for another time.

"Reluctantly, I must concur." Steiner agreed. "However, it does not mean we can sit idlily either; therefore, I propose we move all non-essential second line personnel to frontline duty, reinforce existing formations and raise new ones, led veteran units." The knight-captain looked pensive for a moment and nodded. "The other units will need reorganizing to make up for the loss of personnel, but it should be doable." "Then we are all in agreement?" The hundred odd individuals murmured their assent-120 to 40, the majority being in favor. "Very well, the mobilization of both Civilian and Military sectors will commence immediately in preparation of the activation of the gates-meeting is adjourned"

And now came the massive reshuffling, work orders and paperwork to worry about, as they filed out, Dimitri exhaled a puff of smoke. "You think it's gonna get that bad?" He asked as the last of them left. "Yes., given the circumstances You of all people should know that." He chuckled at Steiner's response. "Alright, I'll get the boys together."

As he left, Steiner couldn't help but get the feeling he was forgetting something-oh yes, he'd forgotten to mention the entities he'd encountered, not to mention the Archdukes. Likely they'd inquire to the sudden uptick in activity. As much as he'd like to tell them go soak their heads it'd probably make the situation worse. No...no he'd figure out some excuse to tell them.

And deal with the others. For the interim though, he'd focus on getting the Company ready for war. Against who or what he didn't know-but the time came, they would not be found wanting.

It would be enough for now.

 

[Whisper]

Steiner's omission of the greater forces in the sector might turn out to be a historic one.

The skies of the Calliope Star Sector held many secrets, some worse than others. One of those worse things had decided to come knocking at the Company's door, drawn by an interesting conversation held in a space between realities. Hera had walked unseen among the streets and halls of this world, white-and-gold robes dragging behind her unhurried form. There was potential here. There always was with warriors and desperate types. She had so much to offer them, after all.

She turned a corner and felt a familiar presence. Not quite the same, but familiar. A soft hum blinked her out of existence and onto the shoulder of the strange construct that was Steiner. When her glamour faded enough to let him perceive her easily, she sat so easily that she might have been sitting there for hours.

"Hello again, Steiner," she said in a warm, loving voice. She'd had eons to practice it, the perfect combination of motherly and priestly. "It's so nice to see you again. I hope you've fared well since our last meeting."

Hera smiled at him, recognizing the nearest sensor not by its design but by the intent that the thing had been built with. Her eyes were each covered by a small set of wings that seemed to come out of the back of her head, but it didn't stop her gaze from being felt. The powerful presence she'd exuded in the gala was missing, but whether that was restraint or actual absence was difficult to tell.

"I was wondering if you might like to talk?"

 

[Commissar Farzi]

In his ninety years walking the multiverse-Steiner had seen quite a bit; armies whose soldiers used cloned bodies as little more than meat puppets, changing them out as often as one would change their socks-he'd witnessed, fought to prevent, and had a hand in some of the atrocities of Valhalla; even faced down eldritch beings looking to lay claim to reality and all that it inhabited among other things.

So, suffice it to say as he turned his 'head' as his optics focused in at the woman now sitting on his shoulder, to have one such creature perched as if in a mockery of some domesticated bird looking to simply talk? This took the-; actually, never mind-he'd expected Hera to skulking about at some point-just not so soon. Likely security had mistaken her as some oddball noble or even some spiritual leader and let her be-he'd need to have a word with them. The alternative was a either technology-a high possibility-or magic they couldn't nullify; yet another concern to add to the ever-growing list. 'Damned Eldritch beings.' He thought as he bit back a scathing comment about an orphanage the next sector other as while resisting the urge to swat her as one might a particularly annoying fly Stiener all but glared at the woman.

"I believe I have said everything that needed to be said at the Gala Hera Four-Fifty," Steiner replied, even as he opened a channel to Dimitri; hopefully the man would have the with not to come charging in. He just needed to keep the wench talking and more importantly distracted. "But given your nature, I suspect you hope that me and mine can be persuaded to whatever perverse cause you have in mind nonetheless."

"Boss, what the-" His sentence was cut off by a ping on his end-a text message along with a feed from his optics. "We have a problem-silent alert-do not engage unless I say otherwise or she takes hostile action." A pause, followed up by a "Huh? What's a broad like her got you worked up for? I mean, aside from the wings she's gotta be a ten outta ten-" And of course Dimitri was now thinking with his cock, "I mean, goddamn look at her, a nice ass and big-" Another ping, "Eldritch being, or avatar-currently trying to distract until able to be dealt with or she leaves." That shut him up as he heard him swallow hard, "R-right, I'll get few cohorts together-preferably with tanks and maybe a few nukes-still reality-warping monster or no-she's a looker." And he'd lost him as he prattled on about some weird cartoon he'd seen-a particularly dirty one at that. Resisting the urge to sigh at his subordinate's behavior'; he at least was taking this seriously...unfortunately that didn't really help him with the Thurok in the room.

He knew he was going to regret not tossing her out an airlock as he opened his vocoder. "And since the two of us know that if I told you to sod off you would likely simply commit to whatever mischief you intend here-so for sake of maintaining the peace for the moment I will hear you out-but once our business is concluded here you with leave this world and any of our holdings. Are we in agreement?" Or at least they could shoot her into the nearest star-the wording had been meant mostly so she couldn't just simply square herself away aboard some space station or starship and cause problems from there-at the very least it would get her out of their hair for the time being.

He heard Dimitri snort on the other end. "Smooth Steiner-try not to piss her off too badly until we can get organized."

That was the plan as he braced himself for the talk of how'd they'd been there for creation and whatever other nonsense she'd be spouting along with the offer of power, service to something greater than oneself and even their species-and all at the low, low price of one's soul.

'What a steal.' He thought sardonically.

 

[Whisper]

Hera gently patted the side of Steiner's 'head' with one hand.

"Your caution," she said, sounding amused, "is not unfounded, but is unnecessary. As for me leaving when we're done - even if I agreed, would you trust me?"

She stood gracefully, gently patting a few wrinkles out of her ceremonial dress. The being seemed undeterred no matter how he moved. Just another oddity to add to the list.

"And I suppose if I told you that all of the weapons arrayed on your world couldn't stop me, it wouldn't stop you from trying," she continued, her tone a motherly 'boys will be boys'. "Don't let that insult you, though - stopping me and harming me are, unfortunately, not the same thing. I'd rather avoid that outcome if I could."

Another smile as she looked out, taking in the man's world.

"You know what I have to offer, Steiner. You know the cost. You might not understand the true implications of either. And yes, should we not come to some agreement I could simply find another. Your friend Dimitri seemed a more agreeable sort, didn't he? But you drew my attention first. A world is just a world. A soul just a soul."

She looked towards him, staring at the head of the vessel he inhabited and yet seeing to see him in the dim glow of her orange eyes. "You seem like someone worth investing my time into. All this weight upon your shoulders. Enemies everywhere. Someone of your character and devotion can understand the benefits of what I represent. I don't need to sell them to you."

With a simple, graceful movement she leapt off his shoulder and down to the ground. A faint chime echoed through the hall and she landed upon the floor with none of the momentum she'd built along the way.

"So instead, let's talk, you and I. Of what you need and how I might be of service," when she spoke, her voice was as though she'd moved. Her gaze back at him as she began to walk was warm and inviting, as always.

 

[Commissar Farzi]

Stiener didn't give her the satisfaction of reacting to her comment that'd she'd already known what he'd been planning in the event things got out of hand, nor did he react towards her possible intentions towards his friend. But she had two things right-he didn't trust her-and they couldn't harm her-not properly anyways. Stopping her on the other hand would be doable. Difficult; yes, costly; definitely, but doable. "Uh, boss-"

"I am aware Dimitri-continued as ordered." Steiner having dropped any pretense of secrecy turned back to his...guest so to speak-gesturing, "While Hera you are correct in the regards that I do not trust you-nor would you leave of your own accord. But..." A cold aura began to seep into the room, strangling whatever magic was about-imposing the harsh laws of a dead reality upon it and sealing the void between realities-albeit only within the room, "While we cannot harm you properly, we do have the means to stop you if needs be." As quickly as it had come, it was gone life seemingly returned, and something seemed...off; as if screaming as if it had been violated somehow. "And you are also correct in the fact that neither of us wants it to come to blows." For the moment.

"I said I would hear you out, and I intend to." While juvenile, his display would either anger her, or serve as a possible deterrence to any aggression-while still not wholly convinced, he was still treating her as a dangerous animal-in this case trying to show that the prey may not be worth it. It didn't help when Dimitri chimed in with "I hope you know what you're doing boss. Boys won't be organized for another twenty mikes yet. Over."

Steiner really didn't; but at the same time that was par the course for him.

 

[Whisper]

Hera furrowed her brows a moment at the display. It was clear she was displeased, though whether it was because of the effect or the discourtesy, who could say?

Still, she let it pass.

"An interesting trick," she said, looking at the walls with interest. "If I might offer a word of advice for the future, it isn't always wise to show your cards early. Now that I know of it, I - or someone like me - could take steps to prevent it from happening again. Though I am curious about the mechanism behind it. Hm - perhaps a discussion for the future."

Whatever suspicions she had, they were difficult to prove out. Perhaps some aspect of the effect? She put her hands together in a downwards steeple before her. Her days as a scholar were far behind her and it wouldn't do to be distracted.

"How about something simple to start with?" she asked, returning back to the topic she had come here for. "Allow those warriors that serve or fight alongside to you to decide for themselves. We can clad my offer in some faith or another. One of yours, if you wish, or I can craft one. I don't mind if we use my true affiliation, but I know some find it distasteful."

She gave him another one of those warm smiles, as though others not appreciating her 'true affiliation' was not something that particularly bothered her.

"I will bestow upon them some small measure of strength, the specifics of which we can discuss. As their faith or need deepens, they'll come closer to devoting their souls to my purpose. Then they will be fully committed and welcomed into our glorious embrace upon their eventual death, which we promise not to hurry along.

Until then, it won't cost them a thing. I think this is a rather fair deal, don't you?"

 

[Commissar Farzi]

'Why do you think we've been able to repulse creatures such as yourself you eldritch bi-' Steiner clamped down on that notion-and cursed himself for his lapse in discipline; Hera was right-he'd shown his hand early-but at the same time-other entities who had known of them had tried such tactics. They'd still been shut out of their reality-but at the same time-this wasn't Valhalla-the rules were different here.

No telling if they'd have the same effect or not. Still her offer was tempting...their soldiers could use the boost. But at the same time...he'd quite possibly be damning the people under him to a fate worse than death. The silence dragged on, and Dimitri began chiming in. "Boss, you...you ain't seriously considering her offer...are you?" He didn't immediately answer and sighed. "I...see," Stiener began, choosing his words carefully, "I know you said you represented...a Chorus of some sort as it were. What exactly is it?"

"Uh...Boss...what the he-" Steiner cut the comm, with a single message: 'Hold at the ready.' The old sentinel's mind was formulating a plan-if a vague, half-cocked idea of how to address this...situation could be considered a plan as he waited for the woman's answer.

 

[Whisper]

"There are many great powers in this universe you've found yourself in," she said. "The Chorus is one of them. I'd say the strongest, but I know you're too skeptic to believe me."

She walked towards one of the walls, resting a hand against it with a 'hm'.

"There are many of us who serve the Chorus directly. Trillions more who lend their voices to the Choir and countless more before them. We are Gods, holy messengers, heroes, and so much more in this realm - but none of it really matters, in the end."

Hera looked back at him over her shoulder as she walked along the wall, fingers delicately tracing it.

"All that really matters is that all the Fragments of the Dying Light - souls, as people commonly call them - are collected and made whole. Until then, every Fragment is doomed to repeat an eternal cycle of pain and suffering. In the Chorus, these Fragments can live in peace, enjoying worlds of their own making. Of all the afterlives you may learn about, ours is the only one I've seen so far that can be proven."

She smiled once more, turning to him fully.

"Why, some of us are even called back from it to do service in this realm, so that others might know the embrace of our Dying God."

Hera was practically beaming, but not so much as to fully enter the realm of uncanny. It was clear that she truly believed the words she spoke.

"Until the vessels that our Fragments inhabit are ready to truly join the Choir, we do what we can to improve their lives. The faithful are rewarded. Given the strength to champion their causes and our own, so that others might know the glory of our patron."

Her arms folded lightly behind her back, accentuating the curves hidden within her dress.

"Know that I have the power to erase entire star systems, if I chose, Steiner," she said, more serious. "I could tear your world down with a song. You may think I'm playing some game, but I have spoken only truths.

You might think my price too great, but few are even aware that they truly have souls, let alone what happens to them after their death. I offer not only the power to make your place in this new universe your people have found themselves in, but the answers to some of life's greatest questions.

And I do this without threat or coercion. You can accept my offer or not. Others who are listening in are free to do the same, but I came to you first.

I have all the time in the universe, Steiner. When your world is a barren husk, its memory forgotten, whatever vessel next holds your soul might meet me again and choose differently. Why wait? The destiny of your people is within your grasp."

 

[Commissar Farzi]

Steiner was once again silent after mulling her over her words, then burst out laughing-an awful sound-harsh and grating. It continued on for several moments, reverberating throughout the hall-oddly enough Dimitri was once again chiming in-this time through a text that read 'Is she serious-souls don't exist...do they?' He just kept laughing; she really had no idea, did she? Calming himself enough to finally respond to his friend. "Y-yes...yes souls do indeed exist Dimitri." He was grateful for his friend's question as it finally gave him something of a reprieve-a bit of a counter point-mostly in hopes of dissuading those listening from accepting any deals with this monstrosity, "Such things have likely existed since the first sentients drew breath." And finally addressed Hera.

"Strong claims, my eldritch guest, " He nodded sagely, giving a slight bow, "And while I do not doubt your convictions..." He stepped forward and proceeded to gesture around him as if sweeping the entirety of the galaxy. "Nor your words, I do wonder...why would you need my compliance at all?" He proceeded to pace around the room, ensuring he kept her in sight at all times. "You are correct of course; entities such as yourself have all the time in the existence-we are but a flicker in the void compared to you, shadows and dust. And yet-related to aforementioned question-if you are as powerful as you say; you could have simply forced this universe's compliance-bring them to heel as it were." He stopped short, and faced her directly, "While I am more than aware of your actions in regard to your initial appearance; you yourself said so that you and yours cast down the Precursors as Maya called herself; a foe of far greater strength and ability than ourselves I can't help but wonder why you feel the need to negotiate with us?"

"But I think you already know that answer, do you not?" He knelt down, getting close enough that he could look the woman in the eye on her level, and continued his voice considerably lower than it was, "In fact; I am more than willing to wager you need those souls willingly, don't you? Lest they jeopardize your efforts. How many times have you and yours tasted that cold bitter wine of defeat I wonder; how many times have you schemed and plotted in shadows only for them to come undone just when they were nearly to fruition. How often have I seen creatures such as you cast down, beaten back and made a mockery of by the supposed creatures whose very existence you seek to...'unite', 'guide'-no let us use the correct term-consume. "

Dimitri's comm chimed. "Uh...boss, you might wanna-" He ignored him, whether it was fury or something else, he didn't know, and quite frankly Steiner wasn't in the mood at the moment.

"You call me skeptical; you think that I believe you are playing games; then allow me to enlighten YOU, Hera Four Fifty-our Ancestors; may they rot in the ashes, made the mistake of tampering with the very fabric of reality-and found your ilk waiting-they made deals, harnessed powers beyond mortal kin and nearly sundered our universe in an attempt to reach victory; likely their actions are part of the reason our home has become such a hellish realm-no; we know that their actions are responsible." His entire body shook with those last few words; almost as if in rage; or perhaps that was the case.

"No Hera..." He said as he stood once again, he was tired, but he refused to show it, "We have seen time and time again what happens when one has dealings with your kind; I suspect even if I were to oppose it you would likely go behind my back regardless-but more likely than not you will be met with bared steel and strong arms to guide it. Such has it always been, and such will it always be." His comm chimed even more insistently; almost every second it seemed.

"Hey boss?" Steiner sighed again and toggled the comm. "Yes Dimitri?" This had better be important.

"Nice speech and all, but uh..." The man on the other end swallowed, "That was on the open channel" Son of bitch; he must of accidentally toggled it when he shut Dimitri's comm. "How much was heard, and how bad?" He could hear the sound of the man on the other end lighting a cigar. "The bitch's whole song and dance followed by your little speech; and let's put it this way; who didn't hear you?"

Which meant either they'd have a riot on their hands, or people lining up to join the chorus. "Lot of people asking questions, hell some of the council baying for her blood and the other half's wondering what the hell's going on to begin with." His targeting system zeroed in on the wench; squashing her wouldn't do any good. No matter how satisfying it would be.

Somehow, he knew this was her fault, at least that's what the mental gymnastics he was doing told him. 'And now I have yet another political situation to deal with.' That's it, when all this nonsense was over; gates; Hera, all of it-he was going to find a nice, deserted island and plop his mechanical ass right down on it. Someone else could have his job.

And Paradise worlds were real. Time to face the music.

 

[Whisper]

Hera listened impassively, then frowned at the end.

"I see. Well, I wish you and your people well. This sector contains plenty of other entities far more ... aggressive ... than the Choir I sing with. Perhaps all your toys will keep them back?"

There was no hostility in her words. She looked around, thoughtful.

"You have been kind enough to listen to my words and have done me no harm. For this, I offer you a few things - free of charge," she continued. She turned and motioned at the air. Discordant tunes vibrated through the space they occupied, bending reality until a clear image was displayed. It was as large as Steiner and seemed to be moving. Whether it was memory or a window into the past, what it displayed was... horror.

Things that defied understanding clashed with ships of immense power in the dark of space. Weapons that tore space asunder hit the things and did them little harm. Ships were consumed, ripped apart, twisted, and worse. Some of the things died, their bodies twisting apart or vanishing into the spaces between. The scale of it defied comprehension.

"Your people are not the first to reach too far. The Precursors, as you call them, also meddled with things they shouldn't have. They, too, drew the attention of things that dwell beyond the stars, in the spaces between the waking and dreaming worlds. For that, they paid the price. As did countless others, my kind included.

Rest assured that had the Precursors not been stopped, far worse would have happened. In this matter, they are not innocent. Do not let them convince you otherwise."

The sound stopped and the image disappeared. She sighed a melancholy sigh.

"And you are correct about our need for 'souls' to be given freely. I told you we have an afterlife, that we can call back the souls of the dead to do good in this universe. We would not see it polluted by those who did not wish to be there. As for the rest, I will let you and yours decide what is true and what is not. I have told you what I can do. If you think that someone such as I could be beaten back from what I desired, that is fine."

Hera strode toward him, stopping half way.

"The last things I offer are gifts, but also temptations. You need not feign surprise," she grinned softly at him, then held out a hand before her with its palm down. She hadn't intended to do this to him or his people, but insult and challenge both demanded a response. "After all, you were so sure that this was coming, that it would be rude of me to let you down."

When next she spoke, her melodious voice thrummed with power and echoed for miles.

"You and yours are called sentinels. You stand firm against those who would do injustice upon you. The tribulations that have led you here have made you strong of arm and heart. Beacons, all, for the weary and weak. I find you worthy of my love.

Should you find that your light is not bright enough in this dark new universe you find yourselves in, know that through faith your flame can be as bright as the sun. Oh brave and bold souls, to you I bestow this blade. Simply rest your hand upon it and speak a true oath of service. The words matter not, only your conviction."

Reality bent and warped before her outstretched hand. A greatsword appeared, its blade buried into the floor such that it stood. It was not overly ornate at first glance, but the blade and hilt both held infinite mysteries in the complex patterns etched into them. Any who looked upon it could feel the power within and know that it was a blade that would never yield.

"I name this sword Bryndall, the Dawn Blade. If it judges your conviction to be true, you shall obtain a measure of strength befitting the faith you hold. May it serve you well in your times of need."

That took care of the insult.

She turned her hand over and it held a small, white shield hardly the size of her palm. Where the other was breathtaking in its simplicity, this one was.. merely simple.

"And for you, Steiner, full of conviction, yet lacking in wisdom, I offer you this simple trinket. When you are in your time of need, you may call upon me and make a single request. You already know the price."

Hera crouched and set the shield down gently, satisfied that she'd answered his challenge.

"I promised you no threat or coercion. I keep my word. I leave you with these two things, each a choice that you and your people may make freely. What you choose to do with them is up to you, though you'll find them very hard to destroy."

She stood and patted away the wrinkles in her dress once more. The next moment, she was behind him, hands light against his back.

"Whether our meeting is fortunate or not I'll leave up to you, Steiner," she said, her voice soft and somehow mangled on the transmissions. "Know that you, too, have now drawn the attention of one of those things that you shouldn't have. I find you a very interesting man. I'm very curious to see what you make of yourself in the days to come."

Hera stepped back a pace or two before he could really respond, her smile broad. "I suppose I should be leaving now. I imagine I've over stayed my welcome and I did promise to leave when we were done talking..."

 

[Commissar Farzi]

Lacking wisdom? Perhaps. Conviction? He had that, and that conviction had seen him through the darkest parts of his life.

But after seeing the monsters that the precursors had awakened Stiener felt older than ever-they'd manage to hold on, to save who and what they could only to find there was just as bad if not worse here. He had much to think on, particularly what in the Ancestor's bollocks the Precursor's had stirred up? And how to best counter it. Doing his best to shake off that feeling, he replied "Thank you for the gifts, and advice." His tiredness seemed to seep through the comms he picked up both the sword and shield; yet another problem unto itself-best to lock the damned things away if they couldn't destroy them, "May the tides of the void see you safely home, Hera." A customary farewell for those who would soon leave this world.

Though he could do without her attentions; at least she'd be somewhere he could keep an eye on her if she decided to make mischief. If she was as benign as she said, perhaps it wouldn't be necessary, but somehow, he doubted it.

Now he just had to deal with the political ramifications of this meeting. Somehow it was her fault; Steiner just knew it-as he prepared himself for the inevitable shitstorm that would follow, he found another trinket-a small, golden coin; where the-oh hell....

Ancestor's-damned Burial Steel...they'd seen it before. Which meant more likely than not he'd yet receive another otherworldly visitor. "Dimitri." He radioed, preparing himself for yet another conversation with a being that he really didn't care to tangle with. "Yea boss?" His friend responded; voice filled with trepidation. "We are about to receive yet another...guest."

"Let me guess; you inadvertently managed to get the attention of another eldritch horror?" Stiener shook his head, "No, but it may be just as bad."

"The hell does that mean?" Stiener could only sigh. "Senti."

"Shit."

'Indeed.' He responded mentally.

 

[HarperMadi]

"Oh, don't you know, we're not that bad..." There she was, appearing at his elbow as though she had always been there, the skin and clothes woven of history and infinite souls, not corporeal, but too solid. Tall as him to look him in the eye comfortably. "Is Hera and the Chorus giving you trouble?"

She walked away from him, then, casually leaning against his desk in that too smooth evening gown of projected history. "She seemed... Nice."

There it was. The venom, memories of having fought off something that had begun the Chorus. Something as old as, if not older. Just as eldritch and alien. "Apologies. It is not easy to manifest this form. Let alone speak. Our power tends to sing from within the metal and self. And even then, we never appreciated the... lust the Chorus sung to us with."

 

[Commissar Farzi]

"Depends on whom you ask," Steiner responded to If'ni's, turning to face her, "I can think of a certain flotilla that has caused us no end of grief." He shook his head and switched back to the topic at hand, "As for trouble...creatures such as her bring it wherever they go, often seeking to consume whatever they can lay their influence into."

"And think nothing of it," Steiner responded to her apology, "I honestly did not think that you could manifest physically, though, and I must extend my own apologies as well, but creatures such as you and Hera do not always follow the rules of reality and often play by very different ones. The bloody wench will likely not stop her pursuit of you and yours. Anyways; I suspect you being here is not necessarily a social visit."

 

[HarperMadi]

"Hardly. The Katamurans respect you. They enjoy the challenge you pose." If'ni gave a laugh, bending forward slightly as she shook her head. "We wish it were merely a social call. We so enjoyed your presence at the Gala. But we are also well aware of the Chorus's hunger. We of the Senti and before are an amalgamate of a post end of death society. Our memories and our personalities are intact. You are correct in that entities like ourself do not normally follow reality's rules. We, however, are bound by it to a limited degree. We know the rules and we cannot break them, merely bend them."

She stood then, moving to inspect the sword that Hera had offered, though she did not touch it. He could see, now, how indistinct her form was. Not some difficulty in manifesting. More that she was out of practice, and did not have her own body image to display. "It is difficult for us to manifest in this plane. Normally, we show silent ghosts. Barely for more than a few moments."

 

[Commissar Farzi]

"Then perhaps we had best discuss the business at hand," Stiener responded as he adjust his stance, "The chorus is but one of many troubles that have arrived on our mutual plates, and unfortunately with this recent development of the gates as well as the recent intelligence that our...acquaintance has provided has forced our hand." He crossed his arms, "Though whether it can be trusted remains to be seen."

He gestured to the wall, as a small drone played back a small segment of the conversation-mainly that of the 'supposed' battle between the Precursors and whatever the hell they were fighting. As the clip ceased, he turned back to his guest. "So, where do you wish to begin?"

 

[HarperMadi]

"We do not know where to begin." She watched the clip, brows furrowed. "The gates are a dangerous boon. When we first fled our home's remains, the gates offered a spread across the galaxy to hide between the stars. But Skydas was too large. He could not come with us. Moreover, Rustybe Eskydas is alive. She is currently in Duskerian territory, speaking with the Shard, we believe. Our hand has been forced, as well. We would offer you our logistics. We understand that you have your own networks. However. We see everything the Steel does. As will you, if you form that coin into your chassis. That coin is older than the Senti. It is a shard of me from the homeworld. Before I birthed Listia and Skydas."

 

[Commissar Farzi]

"Our logistics network is fairly well established," Given the situation in Valhalla, having the best logistics were nothing short of paramount to help mitigate resource shortfalls in an army, "However, the additional support is not unwelcome-if anything the redundancies would assist in alleviating any strain on our own networks." He regarded the coin thoughtfully, and then shook his head as it vanished into a compartment. "Quite a boon, but I am afraid that burial steel is little more than a shiny metal when we are involved." The suppression field was to blame for that.

"Uh...boss; I thought you could-" Stiener cut the comm before he could say anything else. 'Damned idiot doesn't know when to shut up.' He though irritable, before continuing, "Even then, I mean no offense when I say that when it comes to gifts such as these my kin and I tend to regard them with suspicion at the best of times; such artifacts do not come without their cost after all." Some of the old relics they'd found had not been creations of their ancestors but gifted to them. These relics were often jettisoned into a black hole or star if possible. "But to the topic at hand; at the very least we need to establish some general objectives-goals as were."

He was hoping he could at least get the goddess to agree to this; if they could get some kind of plan hammered it would be something to work towards; that and he needed to speak to the ruddy archdukes as well.

 

[HarperMadi]

"It is good that you have a well established logistics network. But you are right. All things bear a cost." She offered him a smile, almost a proud smirk that could almost be seen as her considering him as an equal. "It would provide Us access to your sensative data. Unfortunately, the intigration of your visual stimuli to Listia is not something we can stop. Unlike most deities like to claim, we, and our aspects, we are not all powerful. We have limits, and inconveniences. For instance, we cannot jump to a place where there is no burial steel. And we seem to have a Sister. A cancer in the Steel, calling itself the Legion of the Forgotten."

Turning, she continued exploring the room. "Though funny thing. If you were not in total control of your arcane suppressor field, do you honestly believe I would have the power to manifest, except by your will?"

 

[Commissar Farzi]

Damn it to the ashes. Of course, it would be common knowledge among the Senti about that particular detail; and if she was an amalgamate of her peoples' collective memory; unfortunately, this also meant she had more or less called him out on his bullshit. "It did not keep Hera from skulking about." Steiner reminded her, hands returning to his sides, "And at least you acknowledge that you are not all powerful and of the costs of your gifts. However, for now as I stated before we need to set some objectives; though this 'Legion of the Forgotten'-will it be a problem?"

Yet more complications that they didn't need, more pieces to an already cluttered board-they needed intelligence though the Senti getting their hands on potentially sensitive information was a concern.

 

[HarperMadi]

"Not to you. Not yet." Shaking her head, she summoned a small orb of memories, gore nests of burial steel that moved as though alive, ripping and tearing its victims to be integrated into new abominations of forms to hunt more. "It is what happens when burial steel is corrupted. It is nothing."

Her hand closed, crushing the deepest depravity of her own back into nothing but vague memories. "You wished to discuss objectives. Let us do that. We imagine that will be happier than the health of the dead. Most of our people are realizing the cowardice of hiding between the stars. So we can offer soldiers and ships, access to our near instantaneous FTL capabilities, and the locations of the gates in this sector. All we ask is for training to assist in the defense of the community we both call home."