Chapter 123: Microcosm
The energy conduit hummed with purpose, its sacred function to process the absorbed power and channel it to designated sectors throughout the vast structure.
Cawl moved through these corridors with reverence, his augmetic sensors reading the symphony of machine activity that surrounded him.
Brief cascades of code and data filled his neural pathways while machine indicator lights flickered as the binary analyser released its algorithms.
After transmitting their stored log records to the central cogitators, the machines would return to their patient watch, awaiting the next cycle of blessed operation.
Rotating magnetic rings engaged and disengaged in their eternal dance, machines briefly awakening before settling back into watchful sleep.
Magnetic induction pins extended outward like the petals of some metallic flower, revealing funnel-shaped openings before contracting with the satisfying hiss of blessed pneumatics.
Cawl would pause occasionally to tend to these sacred mechanisms, adjusting wayward data streams and performing minor repairs on blessed components. Most such work involved replacing burnt-out filaments, soothing difficult pistons with applications of holy oils, or offering the proper prayers to energy detection arrays.
A harsh alarm pierced the mechanical chorus, coming from the binary analyser clutched in his servo-skull's arms. Cawl extracted the fault data and carefully took apart a control panel embedded in the corridor wall. Within lay a complex circuit matrix, its pathways surrounding a small but crucial logic engine at its heart.
Connecting his data cable to the logic engine's interface ports, Cawl discovered a truth that brought him genuine sorrow: the machine spirit dwelling within had been damaged beyond any hope of repair.
"You will be replaced, faithful one," he murmured to the dying machine. "When I return, I will find the cause of your suffering."
With reverent care, he extracted the failed logic engine and placed it within his mechanical mule's storage compartment, then withdrew a blessed replacement component. As he installed the new logic engine, he performed the proper ritual prayers.
"Great Omnissiah, grant your blessing to this servant of the Machine."
Upon completion of the prayer ritual, Cawl activated the logic engine. Indicator lights blazed to life in sequence, confirming that all systems were functioning within the specified parameters.
"How wonderful," he breathed.
Joy filled Cawl's augmented heart as he witnessed the machinery return to its ordained function. He continued his patrol, speaking the maintenance prayers as he walked.
Two hours later, having completed his daily inspection cycle, he returned to his quarters for a brief period of rest and thought.
The return journey offered glimpses of the greater work through observation ports set at regular intervals. Cargo lifters formed endless lines, entering and departing through the cosmic gates, bearing vast quantities of materials from the primary universe.
Mechanical work-pods and swarms of industrial drones laboured like a great hive, extending arms to weld hull sections or connect conduit networks.
This city-sized marvel of blessed metal continued its expansion, as though it would not rest until it filled this entire pocket dimension. The humble Cawl could not understand the profound wisdom of the God of All Machines, nor could he guess the primary purpose of this magnificent construct.
He knew only that this grand structure would serve to contain an alien deity.
After ten minutes of transit, Cawl reached his modest dwelling, quarters fitting his station in the hierarchy. The chamber's layout was simple: a rotating sleeping alcove with a cluttered workbench beneath, a tool storage cabinet positioned near the head of the bed, and a small Contemplator unit occupying the corner.
The Contemplator, a living brain suspended in nutrient solution, its surface crowned with delicate interface cables, displayed complex models on its integrated glass screen. Charts and data streams arranged themselves in patterns while binary code cascaded in rapid succession.
Cawl settled at his workbench as a notification appeared on the display:
[Operation completed. Estimated performance increase: 5%]
"A modest achievement," he noted with satisfaction.
Extending his mechadendrite, he removed the cogitator amplifier installed along his spinal column, connected it to the Contemplator, and uploaded the improved code matrix before reinstalling the device.
He had detected minor flaws in his amplifier's programming and had taken the initiative to optimise the algorithms. The recoding had proven quite successful, yielding a 5% efficiency improvement.
"Let us review the latest intelligence transmissions," Cawl announced to himself.
Drawing forth a data cable, he interfaced with the wall-mounted Contemplator unit, allowing his consciousness to enter the Human Empire's instant communication network.
[PRIORITY TRANSMISSION: Large-scale entertainment simulation 'The Oracle' approaching release date. Narrative concerns a young warrior who, blessed by divine powers, leads humanity to victory against tyrannical forces. Creator projects success throughout Imperial domains.]
[STRATEGIC UPDATE: Sixteenth Legion Luna Wolves have successfully reclaimed the Tresolian System. Despite harsh environmental conditions and primitive civilisations, the system holds significant chromium deposits and rare isotopes. Multiple merchant guilds seek exclusive extraction rights.]
[PRIMARCH INTEGRATION REPORT: The most recently recovered Primarch, known as Seventeen, hails from Colchia, a planet rich in religious traditions. The primary theological emphasis appears to centre on the Great Emperor's Golden divine form. Evidence indicates that Imperial influence reaches beyond the regions of direct contact. Glory in the Emperor's Name.]
[COMMERCIAL NOTICE: CC10-model mental amplification compounds available. Forty-five per cent increase in cognitive processing speeds. Experience enhances intellectual capacity.]
After browsing the general news feeds, Cawl accessed deeper network layers. Inputting a series of hidden access codes into the Contemplator, he caused the connection to redirect to a more secret destination.
Slowly, words materialised on the screen:
THE HALL OF TRUTH
Cawl entered his credentials and gained access to the restricted site.
[Praise the Omnissiah. The path of truth is fraught with peril; only through devoted service may one enter the Hall of Truth.]
The Hall of Truth existed as a hidden forum within the Empire's communication network, serving as a forum for the exchange of technical knowledge and discussion of unusual events discovered across the galaxy.
"Golden Age archaeological sites confirmed in Sol System's Halley's Comet. Detailed survey data available for qualified parties."
"FOR TRADE: Orkish Warboss, currently serving planetary warlord. Extensive WAAAGH technology expertise. Serious inquiries only."
"Dark Eldar Haemonculus equipment available for exchange."
Cawl scrolled through the listings with growing interest. The Hall of Truth's membership continued to expand, with participants trading knowledge and wealth according to their needs and capabilities.
Two particular thread titles captured his attention:
"On the Essential Nature of the Omnissiah and the Origins of Primarch Forging Techniques"
"Hidden Mysteries of the Moravec Catacombs"
Both posts bore the identifier "Blue Double-Headed Eagle", a user whose avatar displayed the golden icon reserved for senior members of the Hall of Truth.
Such a designation indicated that the user was either a founding member or a contributor of exceptionally valuable knowledge.
Cawl accessed the threads, but after briefly reading them, received a notification that his clearance level was insufficient. Continued access required the publisher's direct authorisation.
"What knowledge do you seek in exchange for that which you possess?" Cawl transmitted.
"Equal exchange is the foundation of all learning," came the reply. "I share what I know. You share what you know."
Cawl considered this carefully before responding: "What information do you require?"
"Explain the Human Empire's extensive cultivation of potatoes and tomatoes."
Cawl tilted his head, optical sensors narrowed in confusion. Research projects related to these agricultural products ranked among the Empire's highest priorities, yet remained unclassified.
The Empire demonstrated no reluctance to invest substantial resources in such endeavours, with all evidence suggesting they sought nothing beyond the development of enhanced flavouring compounds for various applications.
"Might alternative knowledge serve as an acceptable exchange?" Cawl inquired.
"Negative." The response was clear. "Gather the relevant data. When you possess the answer, return for the exchange."
The contact ceased responding thereafter.
His failure to secure the desired knowledge left Cawl somewhat disappointed, though it also sparked his determination. Too many secrets existed within the universe; he would need to work harder and expand his capabilities.
Cawl continued browsing the Hall's offerings. The membership proved diverse: treasure maps from across the galaxy, various xenos technologies for trade, and high-value knowledge exchanges.
He even discovered structural principles and partial code sequences for the Empire's Gene Engine systems.
"Such individuals will eventually face treason charges," he muttered.
Cawl carefully reviewed the available posts, seeking freely shared information to add to his personal databanks. After some time, the indicator beside his workbench activated, its piercing temporal signal drawing him from his studies.
Cawl swiftly organised his materials and departed for his duty station.
Upon arriving at the work centre, he observed the Archmagos responsible for the Microcosm project engaged in conversation with a Custodian in the primary hall, both figures dwarfed by the chamber's immense proportions.
A crystal, covered in strange runic inscriptions and emitting an otherworldly glow, was then placed upon a pure gold floating platform and transported into the facility. The artefact resembled a bottomless void; even a brief observation threatened to consume the observer's soul and consciousness.
Whispers drifted in the air, as if unseen entities were speaking directly into one's ears.
Under the witness of numerous tech-priests and ranking officials, the unique crystal was conveyed into the force field containment centre at the structure's core. The containment field activated, and the crystal began its slow rotation within the energy matrix.
Streams of light flowed from the crystal's surface, descending like glowing smoke to be absorbed by the energy patterns inscribed in the chamber floor. Surging power rushed through the conduit networks, bathing the entire facility in ethereal radiance.
Indicator lights illuminated in sequence throughout the structure, confirming optimal operational status across all sectors.
"Praise the Omnissiah," the assembled tech-priests spoke in unison. "His will grants life to the machine."
The sacred songs rose in harmonious chorus, expressions of absolute devotion echoing through the vast chamber.
Cawl joined the ritual observance, his servo-skull adding its mechanical voice to the choir of faithful servants.
[End of Chapter]
I have a question that I have been meaning to ask for some time.
Do you all really like this style of chapter of 40k fic that I am posting, or do you not, or do you have any suggestions on what you would prefer it to be?
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You know, everyone, today I found out that the link short link I had for my Patreon page actually doesn't work, HA-HA-HA,
It was removed weeks ago, and it was from the old page.
Did you all ever have fuck up similar to this, I mean, not this one particularly, but similar?
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