[1/5?]
You observe your men and drones work over the following months. The majority of the resources given to you by the Administratum pass the first stage of processing within that first month. The plasma forges fall silent, and you’re forced to suppress the annoyance borne from an inefficient system. The plasma forges, and other first stage processing machinery, couldn’t be easily retooled to do anything else. To leave them cold was wasteful. There was nothing you could do about that now, though, other than to draw plans to increase your resource income by a factor of 10 at least.

You spend whatever time you aren’t planning observing the construction work. On the surface, the bunkers go up in pieces. A foundation of ferrocrete is laid, out of which the plasteel skeleton grows up, which in turn has the adamantium shell bolted onto it. After the heavy work is carried out by the largest of your robots, a mixture of drones and techpriests set to work installing the sensitive electronics and weapons systems. The techpriests once again prove their adaptability, as it doesn’t take them long to find ways to make their work and religion compatible, and once they have they display an innate understanding of engineering, despite the ritual it’s steeped in. You give out some more high quality cybernetics to those that show the most promise, and set aside time to formally educate some of them in the old labs, to further improve their efficiency.

While the bunker construction is proceeding as planned, the orbital ring construction continues to eat away into the budget of time you’d allocated to it. By the time the elevators were being installed, the ring was still mostly on the moon. Transportation was the bottleneck, as your small fleet of small shuttles could only carry a limited quantity of material up into orbit, limiting the size of the components that could be hauled - further increasing assembly time - and delaying the construction of the ring. You make a few changes to the design, and alter construction priorities to account for the changes, and soon enough you’re back on track, the delay being within expected tolerances.

6 months later, and the ring’s structure has almost been assembled. It’s not very thick, possessing only the bare essentials to facilitate construction, but the basic frame of the ring is installed, having been welded together in orbit into a huge ring around the planet. With all the parts in place, all that was left was to accelerate the central particle ring, funneling power from temporary capacitors and generators into a particle accelerator that, after a few hours to spool up, could produce enough force to allow the ring to hold still, relative to the ground. Control thrusters fire, slowing down the ring’s rotation as the accelerator warms up, keeping the forces in balance as it comes to a stop. After adjusting the ring’s inclination to line it up with the equator, the elevators could be finished.

>>5078557
[2/5?]
After lowering conduits and anchoring cables to the ground, the rest of the work was made considerably easier, and the full elevators were finished within a week.

When looking at any one part, it almost seems unimpressive, being only 2km thick at the widest points, but you don’t look at any one part at a time. The full structure is over 1000km across. Pedestrian, once, but utterly unique now. You’ll continue to build onto the ring over the coming months, but even this skeleton was a miraculous thing to the techpriests that aided in its construction.

You had, cautiously, given the potentially sensitive nature of the question, asked some of them why they had joined you, in defiance of their own scripture. You hadn’t hidden what you were from the ones you approached, to earn their loyalty, obscuring yourself only from outsiders and those under you that didn’t warrant an explanation. Their answers were varied, and many were predictable. Most found ways to justify their own actions, either reinterpreting their religious laws or, somewhat concerningly, reinterpreting your nature in the process. Of those explanations you found most interesting were the ones that made no attempt to reconcile the two. One woman in particular had simply told you that you offered a better deal. That the hope you offered, even indirectly through your somewhat oblique and simplified explanation of the work, was more concrete than the quest for knowledge and preferable to simple utilitarian survival.

There was much that could be taken away from that, but hearing it was enough to buoy your hopes that perhaps humanity wasn’t quite lost yet. You could still pull them back from the brink.

It was as you were pondering that, that the first of the shipments of children had arrived. Magos - no, Fabricator General Rane had explained that he’d acquired the hundred or so children from some of the planets around Stygies. They were young, ranging from the age of two at the youngest, to eight at the oldest, averaging at about five. He doesn’t go into detail as to how, exactly, he’d come to possess these children, but you didn’t ask. Most of them that were capable of expressing complex emotions were scared, though after being assured that they weren’t to be used as menials, they calmed somewhat. All of them that were capable of speaking requested to be returned to their parents at least once. You directed them to the residential area. You couldn’t return them to their parents, but you could at least educate them in an environment free of the deep level of religious indoctrination that seemed to have taken root deep in the minds of the rest of humanity’s population.

>>5078562
[3/5?]
You provide a small curriculum. Basic maths, literacy, and science. Those too young to learn are tended to by drones and a small selection of the menials you can trust to not allow their own indoctrination to poison them, or (a much more pressing concern) have a PTSD episode and beat one or more of the children to death. The rest, you educate ‘personally’. That is to say that you dedicate a small part of your total processing power to answering questions and instructing them for six hours a day. They show some promise, but they’re clearly struggling to acclimatise to the environment. There’s nothing you can do about that, though.

Over the past few months, you’ve received regular updates from the small group of priests you sent to establish relations with the rest of the sector. The de facto capital of the system, Accakaros was a colony established at least 8,000 years ago. It’s population had remained steady after about 500, though, as repeated wars elsewhere in the Imperium had demanded it’s men be sent to serve in the Imperial Guard. At present, 4.2 billion people called the planet home. As such, it sat at a level of development far below the level that you’d been led to believe was expected of a sector capital. Rather than a rancid rotting ecumenopolis, built on the bones of the great city-planets of your era, it was a mixture of low population density countryside and higher density urban centers, not terribly unlike Earth of the second or third millennium. The urban centers were still denser than that, but they were closer to that forgotten Earth than they were to a hive world.

The governorship of the colony had been given to a general of the Imperial Guard shortly after its founding, and her descendants had ruled it ever since. Your diplomats tell you that the family had mixed fortunes, but had broadly speaking been successful and loyal to the Imperium. You wonder what counts for success, when in 8,000 years they’ve only managed to partially industrialise the planet and have technologically devolved, but you keep your question to yourself. The family’s rule had gone unbroken but not unchallenged, and had been in a state of constant political turmoil, regularly locking horns with the other major families of the world, occasionally breaking out into full scale warfare.

The next set of diplomats tell you of Adrax’s Reach, and you don’t know if you really believe what they tell you. You know from your own records that the planet, formerly known only by a string of jumbled numbers and letters, had been seeded with Earth-based plant life and genetically engineered bacteria to render it habitable. Unfortunately, the planned colonisation wasn’t carried out until millenia later. Perversely, it seemed that the efforts to make the planet an eden had, in part, allowed for the extreme degree of technological regression that it’s occupants now suffer.

>>5078564
[4/5]
Adrax’s Reach is dominated by a handful of feudal monarchs that rule their kingdoms of villages, hamlets, towns, and farmland from early cities. War between these kingdoms is common, and most commonly fought with spear, sword, bow, and arrow, though occasionally features primitive gunpowder weapons. Handguns, cannon, and rockets. Under the grassy fields of the world, old railways and ruined factories lie abandoned. Your diplomats take special effort to make it clear that these ruins were not new. Like rings in a tree, increasingly advanced ruins show signs of increasingly advanced decay, implying a steady decline in technological progress that, extrapolating out, shows a line back to the colony’s settlement over 10,000 years ago.

While it’s difficult to get a population estimate, you would expect the population to count to less than a billion, split among different lords and petty kings. Their understanding of the wider breadth of humanity that they number among seems limited at best and woefully inaccurate at worst. Most are distrustful of outsiders, and while they’ll submit to the authority of the occasional passing Administratum official, they’re as beneath the notice of the breadth of humanity as the rest of humanity is outside of theirs. Which is odd. Records indicate that they’re sitting on considerable mineral wealth, mostly in the form of heavy elements and rare stones rather than sheer quantity of common metals.

Lastly, the two remaining inhabited planets of the system, other than your own moon, were the two in the Hydrrit system. Hydrrit Beta was an agriworld, and it met your expectations. It was an entire planet converted over to the production of food, the landscape having been flattened to accommodate great plains, the atmosphere choked with the smell of chemical fertilisers and powerful insecticides to the point where it was unbreathable for humans, but quite pleasant for plants. It was administered by a series of unimportant officials, who collectively ruled the planet, although rule was perhaps too strong a term. As the planet was entirely dependent on Imperial supply to even function for longer than a week, it had fallen deep into the Administratum’s influence, who now ruled the planet near-directly.

Delta, was a mining world that, in stark contrast to Beta, was almost lawless. The deep warrens and tunnels beneath the crust of the hot, rocky planet are filled with mining towns and refinery plants carved out of abandoned mineshafts and cave systems. The surface was sulfurous and boiling, and forbade farming or surface settlement. The colony’s original settlers were not there by choice. Penal colonists, sent to mine the horrid planet and provide its mineral wealth to the greater Imperium. Their children inherited their sins, and were likewise chained to the planet, though it wasn’t all they inherited.

>>5078568
[5/5]

As generations passed, the planet became increasingly unruly, culminating in a partially successful coup that saw the governor driven out, the planetwide famine that followed after incoming food shipments were stopped. To end the rebellion, some local officials struck a deal that saw the planet granted increased autonomy in exchange for increased mineral output, with the threat of extinction lingering over their heads should they ever fail to meet demands. In the centuries since, they’ve managed to avoid that outcome, and now the planet possesses not only significant mineral wealth, but also one of the largest populations of criminals, mercenaries, and heretics in the system. It’s ports are frequented by merchants and rogue traders of a particularly rough and ready disposition, as they’re the only ones willing to take up the Administratum’s transport contracts for the planet.

After receiving the reports, you decide to continue your efforts to establish relations with the rest of the sector, given that you have a few months free while the construction finishes. In order to effectively break the ice, you’ll need to focus your attention on one of the planets to make any progress. You’ll ask Rane to embark on a diplomatic mission, with you observing and advising by QEC. Which planet to visit, though?

>[Accakaros]
The sector’s capital is a logical first choice when it comes to establishing relations. The local Planetary Governor controls the largest planet, by population, in the sector, and possesses the most robust industrial and technological base.

>[Adrax’s Reach]
The little feudal world might be backwards, but it has a lot of potential. Far away from prying eyes, there’s much you could do with its people and its resources.

>[Hydrrit Beta]
The agriworld supplies the rest of the sector with food, and the string of ineffectual bureaucrats shouldn’t be too difficult to sway. You could direct Rane to subvert or bribe the planet’s leadership, ensuring that you control the supply of food, rather than the Administratum.

>[Hydrrit Delta]
The mining world has massive mineral reserves and preexisting infrastructure to harvest and move those minerals. You could cut a deal with whatever passes for local government there, and begin diverting some of those resources towards you.

>>5078569
tomorrow lol
>[Hydrrit Delta]
planetmine go brrr

>>5078569
>>[Hydrrit Delta]

Gotta get on that grind for basic resources

Glad to see this be continued

>>5078569
>[Accakaros]
after he is done there we send him to
>[Hydrrit Delta]

>>5078569
>>[Adrax’s Reach]

I feel that we could better make use of planting a seed here in the long term rather than striking a deal with the leadership of the others.

Besides, Knights!

>>5078597
while I think we need to focus on securing more resources for right now, I definitely agree that we should work on the feudal world as a long term goal
Knights are pretty cool

>>5078569
>>[Accakaros]

>>5078569
>[Hydrrit Delta]
The mining world has massive mineral reserves and preexisting infrastructure to harvest and move those minerals. You could cut a deal with whatever passes for local government there, and begin diverting some of those resources towards you.

>>5078569
>[Adrax’s Reach]
It has potential.

>>5078569
>Reach

>>5078569
Gonna list a series of priorities, to be established when we go on our coming out voidtrip-

1
>[Hydrrit Delta]
Mineral resources are a must, since our AI sensibilities morn the loss of our plasma-forges efficiency.

2
>[Accakaros]
Capital sector, self explanatory.

3
>[Adrax’s Reach]
Pet project, simple as.

4
>[Hydrrit Beta]
It shouldn't take much to control a handful of bureaucrats, especially if we offer to increase efficiency and output.

>>5078569
>[Adrax’s Reach]

>>5078569
>[Adrax’s Reach]
Has mineral wealth
Has easily swayed and/or conquered population
Easily overlooked

>>5078569
>>[Adrax’s Reach]

>>5078569
>[Adrax’s Reach]
Knights v droids equals profit for AI

I do hope y'all ain't Samefagging here, cause I expected a tiny bit more variation with the votes.

>>5078569
>[Hydrrit Delta]
We suffer from a bottleneck in mineral ressources and shipping capacity. Here, we can get those ressources and ramp up our specialty ship production, which in turn fix the logistics issues and massively increase our overall ressource allotment. The Administratum will care a lot more about our forges standing still when those would otherwise churn out archeotech-level ships, rather than being a long-term investment with no tangible return. The first step, however, must be ours.
Us greatly increasing their production through technological assistance, while simultaneously reducing hardships and hazards, will likely be met with general approval by the populace told to meet their quotas or die. Plus it's a good place to get in contact with rogue traders, which we wanted to do anyways.

TL;DR: planetmine go brrr

>>5078569
>[Hydrrit Delta]
With working on
>[Adrax’s Reach]
As a long term goal

>>5078798
Personally I wouldn't mind trying to make a trade deal with Hydrrit Delta after first going to Reach

>>5078803
I'd personally would rather keep ourselves flush with resources before we start embarking on a long term project.

Hydrrit Beta, to secure a food resources to trade with Hydrrit Delta, otherwise we’ll have to trade tech/advanced materials for the raw resources, to criminals and/or heretics, which will 110% bite us in the ass later

>>5078820
I totally agree, but ya ain't gonna convince most of the anons here over it.

>>5078820

I would back Beta as well. Food is arguably the more critical resource from a sector politics perspective.

Would do a lot for our brand if all these food shipments come stamped with name and logo across the sector.

Plus, I'm certain we can administrate the planet vastly more efficiently.

>>5078831
I'm willing to vote for Beta, but it has to be popular.

>>5078569
>[Hydrrit Beta]

>>5078569
>[Adrax’s Reach]
We can take this planet over and carry out a human genome project.

Hydrrit Beta sounds good and all, but that would draw the attention and ire of a the Administratum if they lose their easy meal ticket.

>>5078569
>>[Accakaros]

>>5078569
Welcome back!

>>[Accakaros]
I think that this is the best option if we don't want to ruffle anyone's feathers. Keep in mind that we're still newcomers to the sector. Striking deals with individual planets before negotiating with the sector capital may cast us in a poor light.

>>5078569
>[Accakaros]
The Sector Capital first, only natural we would start there and we could gain some serious political clout if we back the Ruling Family against it's many enemies.

After that we can hopefully pull some strings and have Hydrrit Delta placed under our direct control, so we can clean up the filth and optimize the mining and generally make life there not suck.

>>5078569
>Hydrrit Delta
Mmm minerals

>>5078569
> [Adrax’s Reach]
Soft target and suitably rich in a variety of base resources - minerals, organics, manpower. Versatile option.

>people keep voting for the long term option

Look, I understand why y'all want Reach, but it'll take time to break through their political quagmire and rebuild their society and industrial base from scratch, time that won't keep our plasma-forges productive. We need resources, not a time sink.

>>5078945
Or we can just infiltrate, subvert and assassinate people in the way while putting in our own plants or "agreeable little emperors".

> the planet possesses not only significant mineral wealth, but also one of the largest populations of criminals, mercenaries, and heretics in the system.
> also one of the largest populations of criminals, mercenaries, and heretics in the system
> It’s ports are frequented by merchants and rogue traders of a particularly rough and ready disposition
This is an obvious trap option.
We aren't prepared for void combat.

>>5078950
It'll take time, time that we ain't producing shit in our facility. We need to solve that problem before we start playing reform politics.

>>5078954
And we won't be, until we receive more resources to build voidships. Which mean we need to focus on our own supply lines, which also means dealing with the only major mining operation in this sector. You want power, you need to cut a deal with them. It won't be shitty though, we'll just offer to increase the productivity and efficiency of their mining operations in exchange for a cut of the mineral wealth, and we can control them via food when we get Beta under our control.

>>5078960
Time yes, but time which won't be wasted, and can be spent in parallel to our actions, we are sending in agents to carry out our reforms, not micromanaging it ourselves.

>>5078954
>We aren't prepared for void combat.
Our robots say otherwise?
Our moon barely has an atmosphere and requires void suits to travel outside unless your a cogboi.

>>5078954
Not terribly concerned about this. If they really do have enough resources to wage war on an interstellar - or even intersystem - scale, they wouldn't have to worry about contrating food shipments to avoid starvation. Some Rogue traders probably use the planet as a "free port' of sorts, but I doubt that they would defend it when the chips are down.

>[Hydrrit Delta]
Get that material so the mechanicus don’t start raising tithes. Also give them children some compassion they are the future of man and need some hope that they might see their families again depending on how well this project goes

>>5078970
Opportunity-cost lad. We get our production rolling, we'll have more leverage to offer Reach so they can quickly reform, with more advanced and numerous industrial capabilities than we would otherwise, but this will still be a long term project, probably taking decades before they're ready to be a true powerhouse of reform. Taking a month to get our supply lines in order ain't gonna affect Reach's modernization timeline much, if at all, but it will affect our production and combat capacity and capabilities going forward in the immediate future, which we'll need if we want to take care of the Eldar Craftworld before it takes care of us.

>>5078983
I'd rather we not industrialize it, rather we keep up the feudal façade and secretly mine the resources for ourselves. As right now they probably only give a human tithe and not resources or minerals, if they give a tithe at all.

It would be easier and more valuable to us to covertly take it over by backing certain power players, houses, and our own planted agents from children we raised to take future positions and become future in laws and heirs to the powers in place. We wouldn't need much as the introduction of simple technology such as instant and secure communications technology would drastically and radically change up the society, economy and political landscape massively already, not to mention if we brought in advanced medicine and military tactics.

>>5078983
I would honestly prefer to prioritize Accakaros over Hydrrit Delta.

And although we can definitely gain considerable power and offer better deals and opportunities for Hydrrit by giving them an alternate trade partner for food, I don't trust the Admin to not get mad and try to fuck us over or do corrupt shit.

>>5079000
>covert takeover

That'll take even more time, time we ain't producing at any capacity, let alone full. We need resources before we start mucking about with politics, especially since our political power is directly related to our production capabilities. Reach is a long term project, and the Eldar Craftworld is an immediate/short term threat that we need to prepare for or neutralize.

>>5079003
>I would honestly prefer to prioritize Accakaros over Hydrrit Delta.
Yeah that's my thought process aswell. Wr tie ourselves to the only real power planet in the system and we can easily get political favors that would see us gain an increase in mineral shipments from Delta, then when we have some firepower of our own we can head out to Delta with the blessing of the Sector Government to clean out the pirates and mercs and increase production quotas. Much more preferable than going straight into something we might not be capable of dealing with right now.

>>5079008
I was honestly thinking the opposite. Delta to get our material shipped, then we use our surplus production for political favors on Accakaros, bigger and better political favors that way.

>>5079005
We don't NEED to divert time away from building, we are sending people over to do so with minimal support, advanced tech, and Lots of knowledge, and big brains.

>>5079030
We're diverting time away from gathering the resources necessary to KEEP building, for a project that will take a long time and effort before we see a RoI. We need the resources more than we need to subvert another planet, else we will be caught with our pants down next time the Eldar come poking around.

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>>5078569
>[Adrax’s Reach]

The easiest world to control in our sphere of influence. Their medieval minds would be easily controlled when we offer a way to unify them (the cheapest of lasguns and tech) at the price of being allowed to extract their minerals n' their favour.

The Mining World is just bait, we can't fix the endless supply of criminals and bribing them would only end with them backstabbing us when someone has a better offer.

The Agri World would be good, but here's the problem. Once you cut off the food chain, you become everyone's target - including the Administratum. Bait #2.

The Capital is a good alternative, but going for the biggest diplomatic target might not be so good. Sure, we could fix their political situation, but this might turn some eyes.


TLDR: Sell cheap guns to knights, get their minerals and future loyalty in case they unify under a single kingdom (due to one faction overpowering the rest).

>>5079037
We can MULTITASK and do more than a million things at once, Much of our facilities are lying dormant, and we have to be able to explain why we have so much stuff build in the few months they Imperium last visited.

The Eldar aren't coming to poke around, they are just fucking with us because a million dead humans is better than 1 dead eldar.

>>5079039
>TLDR: Sell cheap guns to knights
I think knights would like Power Swords and Power armor a lot more than prissy flashlights that are ungentlemanly and for common rabble.

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>>5079039
>TLDR: Sell cheap guns to knights
>>5079043
>I think knights would like Power Swords and Power armor a lot more than prissy flashlights that are ungentlemanly and for common rabble.

>tfw we can unify a feudal world, uplift its nobility and turn it into a Knight World loyal to us
Suddenly I am way on board with going straight to Adrax's Reach.

>>5079039
Anon, you can't get minerals from a world just by allowing one faction to annex the rest, and their extreme distrust of outsiders makes this world Bait #3 by your measure.

>>5079042
>In order to effectively break the ice, you’ll need to focus your attention on one of the planets to make any progress.

We only have one Fabricator General, so we can't multitask diplomacy. Plus, we control the books, and we technically don't have to explain shit to the Imperium until they ask for their tithe.

And you don't think the Eldar knowing we can mass produce AoT level products for the Imperium won't make them think that we're the most dangerous threat to the Eldar's existence? Lol.

>>5079047
Progress in terms of diplomacy, this doesn't mean we stop building stuff, it just means we can't go for all the planets or more than one at a time.

>>5079058
Anon, our plasma-forges have run dry. We can't build shit from nothing.

>>5079039
Changing my vote to this
I was >>5078798
What can I say this anon convinced me

>>5079059
We have massive stockpiles, and can even render down finished products in our armories if we wanted. We have a whole moon made of Silica that we can use to make semiconductors.

We can practically rearrange atoms if we needed to and we aren't the only celestial body in the solar system.

If your worried about resources, we can get far more without having to "share its worth" by taking a largely unexploited world with facilities already located on planet.

>>5079047
Also Eldar don't know shit about us, they just had a Seer that had a vision and sent the Orks to us so as a quick fix solution as they just wanted the Orks gone.

>>5078569
>>[Hydrrit Delta]

>>5079046
>tfw we can unify a feudal world, uplift its nobility and turn it into a Knight World loyal to us

>https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Knight_World
>Some Knight Worlds, such as those belonging to House Taranis, will submit a tribute of its citizens to be converted into Mechanicum Skitarii Overseers. These "raw materials", often of excellent genetic stock, are referred to as Psychosis-Neuracanium.[2]

Well shit, We can actually do that!? Fuck yeah, have a planet for excellent gene stock and make "Super Skitarii" Combat soldiers.

>>5079071
We do not have massive stockpiles of raw materials, and I know that I want to be cranking out as much phase-iron and voidships as we can, especially before our tithe come into play.

We have no large amount of raw materials easily accessible to us within our reach, and manufacturing products from raw materials is infinitely more efficient and productive than creating all but the most complex components from the molecular-level from unrelated material.

The problem I have with Reach is that it'll take a long time to rebuild their infrastructure and industry from scratch, and more so to push their society into keeping up maintenance and repairs without our help, let alone the creation of more industry. Delta by comparison already has an easily exploitable industry, and the technical knowledge to keep it fuctional. All we need to do is offer to improve Delta's productivity and efficiency on a mass scale for a cut of their excess production of material wealth, and we'll be rolling in raw materials within a month or two, as opposed to years with Reach.

And the Eldar do know shit about us. Why else would they convince a huge Ork WAAAGH! to visit what was only a few days ago just a desolate ice moon, especially with the prize being one of our AoT big dakka?

I step away for a few hours. What the fuck is going on now?

>>5079095
Anon 1: Ree REEEEr REREEE!
Anon 2: REEEE! REE reeeeeeee?

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>>5079095
People discussing long term plans to get a worlds loyalty to them

Im currently thinking of infantry things

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>>5079098
Infantry, Schminfantry. Real chads think about Imperial Knight things.

I am confused, but I am getting the vaguest of ideas to support the feudal world so we can uplift them into a Knight Worlds. Is that what I'm getting from everyone?

>>5078569
>>[Adrax’s Reach]

>>5079102
No. There's a debate that anons want to engage in a long term project with the feudal world while other anons want to secure raw materials to keep our forge-world producing shit we need immediately.

>>5079112
Alternative view the mining world is a criminal quagmire which will be a nightmare to sort out while the feudal world will be easily taken over and is also mineral rich.

Plus we're much less likely to draw attention of the broder imperium if we develop on a world that's already pretty throughly ignored

>>5079102
That's one of the reasons for the feudal world.

>>5079130
Not to mention the Feudal World is also filled with Archeotech just waiting to be claimed.

>>5079132
>Under the grassy fields of the world, old railways and ruined factories lie abandoned. Your diplomats take special effort to make it clear that these ruins were not new.

I wonder if Rane has any friends he can trust that he can tell about this. If not then we would have to approach or scout for a agreeable Techpriest and give him credit for the find.

>>5079130
Basically this, the mine world already tried to rebel once, they are going to do something stupid once we trade our good tech to them, and that is going to bring attention to the sector.

>>5079130
>the mining world is a criminal quagmire which will be a nightmare to sort out
The crime shouldn't be much of a problem. We can easily drastically improve their production output with a small investment, and everyone there has a big interest in that. Even if they try to skim a bit, which will be hard to covertly sell off-planet, it won't make the venture unprofitable.

>>5079139
We'll only send them better mining and safety equipment, nothing with military applications. I can't see how they'll do anything stupid with that. Selling the new equipment on the black market is the worst they could conceivably do.

>>5079132
Imperial Archeotech is still far beneath our standards. We'd be scavenging for small amounts of random stuff that's worse than the plans in our databases. It's of no value to us, except maybe as a cover story for intoductions of advanced products.

>>5078623
Actually, I'm changing my vote to
Either
>[Accakaros]
Or
>[Adrax’s Reach]
Accakaros should take priority, if we get the sector capital on our side, we could get more leeway to deal with the rest, and the governor might get angry if we don't go to him first, since it could weaken his position and he already has plenty of rivals, so it would make it harder to negotiate in the future.

We should go to the reach next though, we arm a king or lord, repair a few of the facilities and we get an influx of materials.

>>5079147
Mining and safety equipament definatly can be used as weapons and armour, and to get a good enough cut to feed our forges, meaning a ten fold production, we would either need to give them enough to arm every citizen plus spare, or give them advanced tech.
If they sell our equipament on the balck market, them we are getting a visit from the radical inquisitors and shady rogue traders that visit the place, guaranteed. And while that could be good to get a few friends in high places, it would mean even more eyes on world and some of our secrets being out, and it's way to early for that, because right now they would hold the position of power over us, meaning they can demand while we have to give.
Because the vote that won was for us to be a naval forge world right? So if we just start flooding a market with advanced civilian tech during a period where we should be repairing and preparing to integrate into the Imperium would mean that we were holding out on the administratus, so they would blackmail us to give them shit unless we would want a second, more throughout inspection.

I say go for the sector capital instead, we can still get part of the resources from the sector's tithe, and we could get an aproval to trade directly with Delta without under the table deals.

>>5079130
The real view is that both worlds are quagmires, but only the criminal one offers us immediate usage of their raw materials. Plus, we can treat these criminals with a harder hand if need be.

We're already going to be drawing attention with our advanced tech products, I doubt developing a couple of would raise many eyebrows.

>>5079132
We already have our data banks full of STCs, and this Archeotech has degraded significantly, so that point is moot.

>>5079139
Reminds, we'd only be trading better mining tech with them. It ain't like we're going to supply them with voidships and supernova cannons lad.

>>5079154
>Mining and safety equipament definatly can be used as weapons and armor

Oh no, a butch of untrained criminals are using mining equipment in a combat capacity! Whatever will our elite trained skitarii with Refractor shields and Volkite rifles do?

Stop creating retarded situations to justify wanting to develop Reach instead of the low hanging fruit we can supply our plasma-forges with. We ain't about to just autisticly give them AoT tech, and even Advanced tech beyond mining is a stretch. We control the tech level of our products that we hand out, not they, and it's idiotic to assume that they would bargain for our Advanced tech that they wouldn't know we could produce (them bargaining for AoT tech is so absurd that it would come across as a comedy). Your argument is the epitome of bad faith, and you'd be better off saying that you just don't want to deal with them for moral reason (and playing as a workaholic AI in 40k? Morality is a joke at the moment.)

>>5079148
>>5079154
Rereading the prompts, Delta is rich in common materials, meanwhile Reach is rich in rare, so we probably are going to need both planet to keep our production and high technology.
So here's my plan:
1 - Visit Accakaros
Give our respects to the sector governor, butter him up and help him, so we can get a small cut of the tithe to hold us over for now, but more importantly, their backing in negotiating on other planets.
2 - Visit Delta
Using the governor's favor, we can try and have a trade for their minerals for mining and safety equipament, maybe add a few extra units for shady deals. Rogue Traders and Inquisitors will visit, but they can't blackmail us because this is a smactioned deal, and we can say we used the capital resources to produce the equipament.
3 - Visit Reach
We try to find a king or lord to support in a unification effort, in exchamge for land grants and mining rights. We repair the broken infrastructure, to both save on resources and to have a cover for increased production.

If we managed all of this, our resource troubles are over, and we also make the sector stronger and more interconnected at the same time.

>>5079165
I would totally support this plan, but you'd need to get the Reachfags onboard with it to really get it off the ground mate. I do think that it's a great plan though!

>>5079164
Reread what I wrote again calmly anon, you saw that they would rebel against us instead of the sector, which is not even the real problem, the problem would increased criminals, pirates and tech in the black market, also it wouldn't be Delta's goverment that would blackmail us, but the rogue traders and inquisitors that hang out in the place.
It is paranoid worry, but we are dealing with the mess that is 40k politics while also being an A.I., so I think its atleast a little bit warranted.
>>5079166
Well, I'm a reachfag and I wrote it, so there is hope right?

>>5079168
Also it woyldn't really be a bad faith argument to justify the reach, since in that same post I suggested to go for the capital.
I just don't want go to to Delta without some kind of safety net first.

>>5078569
>[Accakaros]
I'm changing to this.

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Reachfags, are you ready to uplift humanity?

>>5079181
>Reachfags
>not defeating the covenant in orbit.
bruh

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>>5079148
Fuck it, consider my vote for Reach null, I'm going all in on the plan, and it starts with Accakaros.
Changing the vote 3 times is gay as fuck, so consider this attempt at counting the votes as penance.
I separated the votes who put two options, because I don't know if QM will count the second option or not.

>>5078569
>>[Accakaros]
>The sector’s capital is a logical first choice when it comes to establishing relations. The local Planetary Governor controls the largest planet, by population, in the sector, and possesses the most robust industrial and technological base.

>>5078569
>[Accakaros]
We really should say hi to the local boss before we start trying to conquer planets and undermine his authority in his own backyard. It really wouldn't do to annoy the governor before we've even shown our face. HOWEVER, we are not limited to just that planet. After this, we should contact Delta and either arrange a contract for supply of metals (possibly in exchange for production-boosting tech or assistance with keeping the riffraff under control) or take it over - the sector governor might be open to this if we managed to get the hive of scum and villainy under control and improved its output while we were at it. And then we possibly try and do something with Reach for the rares, but in the meantime low-quantity stuff is easier to get brought in from elsewhere.

>>5078569
>[Accakaros]

>>5078597
Here

>>5079165
I'll change and support your plan.

>>5079165
Supporting this plan

>>5078569

I support this >>5079165

>>5079200
I guess my post could be taken as a support for >>5079165

>>5079165
+1

>>5079241
I support this as well >>5079165

>>5078569
changing my vote >>5078594 to this >>5079165

Additional side project get some help for the dudes with ptsd they need some help and some way to help their view of mankind as a whole some improvement. Also maybe help them with their ptsd episodes and help them mentally heal from past traumatic experiences because imagine the improvement of work and productivity internally. We may have robots and automated production, we still require humans to overcome our own small limitations to increase efficiency. Also seriously need to help the new kids with coping in their new environment also ask them where they came from and possibly sending letters back to their homes (with sensitive info removed obviously) to help improve their own mental health.

>>5079165
+1

>>5079534
>Also seriously need to help the new kids with coping in their new environment also ask them where they came from and possibly sending letters back to their homes (with sensitive info removed obviously) to help improve their own mental health.
this
the kids will just become psychos without their moms and dads wtf QM

>>5079560
Given Rane's evasiveness concerning their origin, I suspect their parents are either not alive any more, voluntarily (inverted commas or not) gave them up or are unknown either since they didn't care whose kids they nicked or just shitty Imperial recordkeeping.

>>5079534
>Also seriously need to help the new kids with coping in their new environment also ask them where they came from and possibly sending letters back to their homes (with sensitive info removed obviously) to help improve their own mental health.
No. It is a pointless effort.
>>5079560
>the kids will just become psychos without their moms and dads wtf QM
>psycho bad
In 40k that would be a survival trait. Remember this is a batshit insane setting and logistics of sending fucking mail in 40k is retarded. Even worse is that trying this shit has too many associated risks.

>>5078569
How tied is the sector capital to the administratum? You can run into situations where the local sector is so irrelevant the capital is just the first world annexed or colonized. In others the planetary governor is also the leader of the sector administratum.
>If the planetary governor of Accakaros is heavily tied to the sector administratum directly or indirectly then focus on Accakaros.
>If not focus on Adrax's Reach.

>>5079165
Sure, I'll +1 this.

>>5079168
You haven't engaged with the core problem with your argument, which is we control the level of tech (and knowledge of said tech) that we give them, and how would their 'government' blackmail us over Advanced mining tech (not AoT, which would be autistic)?

>>5079172
The reason I call it bad faith is because it's such a shitty argument that you have to make up ludicrous worst case situations as a strawman to fight, so it was between bad faith or just plain retarded.

>>5079668
Anon, I fully agree it's a paranoid, worst case scenario, that needs to jump some hoops to even happen, and wouldn't even lead to us being discovered, only place us in a complicated situation, but your other counter arguments donn't land, because 1 - we would need either sheer bulk or high quality to pay for resouces, either one our cover story shouldn't be able to produce right now and 2 - it would be a third party that would "blackmail" us into entering our under the table deal, either a rogue trader or radical inquisitor that are mentioned to frequently visit the place.

Anyway we should drop this discussion, because with the change in our votes it would be meaningless, and even if we continue it just for fun, we would be flooding the thread for no reason.

>>5079749
It still doesn't make any sense, because
1. It wouldn't take the bulk of our industry to help them out with equipment, and we can always say that we repaired early, if they even think to ask.
2. Why would a third party 'blackmail' us, and with what blackmail? Advanced mining tech isn't exactly blackmail-worthy, either for gaining or blackmailing over.

>>5079560
We can easily become their new figure, both paternal and maternal if we wish to. Or the techpriests can be used for that matter, but preferably no, better us. We had a vast population before, we likely have records of teachings and education, perhaps even culture.
We need a loyal pop of not retards, that we can use for our own things. All current human populations across the galaxy are unfortunately super religious and imperialized, making them highly ineffective, incompetent and not very useful to us (this in comparison to an human of our age). In addition none are "truly" loyal or allied to us.
All but : kids.

>>5079534
I think the menials with PTSD are just the menials that where rapidly changed in soldiers, for fight the waaagh. We aren t using those for working just being soldiers.
There is no thing as letters being sent back and forth between low level citizens. They are under us now. And a small amount of time has pass so far, they will need more for adjusting and us to ensure they do adjust.

>>5079794
Why can't we just memory wipe them? It seems to work well for so many other things.

Eitherway it doesn't matter much. This kids would have live the same lives of misery, pain, tyranny and what not across the galaxy. And it s likely most of them where selled by their own families for gain some money, for the remaining members of their families.
We will provide them with things that will put them above even the education of planet royalties if not higher. Away from danger, diseases, war or worse.
And while they don t have family here and are not in their world, we can make them adapt and influence them.
What they would have become in the imperium at best ? Guardsmen, sailors, pdf troopers, workers, adepts ?
And at worst ? Cultists ? Criminals ? Mutants ? Servitors ? Scavengers ?

>>5079842
I am not sure but it could be for their young minds. Even so I doubt we can't find ways for resolve this. At the end this is the first generation, they will grow in adults and give us an easier time by making new generations, that will follow the first and us.

>>5079851
With a bit of luck and some good looking after, they should move on in time, but the older ones especially probably never quite will. I think having a physical body would be very beneficial here, since it would allow us to take a more central role in the kids' lives as some kind of patriarchal or uncle figure as well as providing some consistency in their lives. Having no consistent parental figure is very bad for kids' development (who knows, it might teach us something as well).

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>>5079860
>physical body
That could be an idea honestly, beside being a patriarchal figure we would be even their teacher/mentor. We would know by scientific knowledge that animals can be very close, especially relations between offsprings and their parents, and i imagine we know a lot on humans.
Still what kind of body (or bodies since this isn t a small number of kids, and there might be the need of more than one) it could be ? Something more human or less ?

>>5079887
Just make it look like an Archmagos with just enough organic material incorporated to sell being having been human at some point.

[1/5?]

You decide to, for the moment, prioritise the capital. Accakaros may not have the resources of Hydrrit Delta or Adrax’s Reach, but it has much to offer. As the core of the sector’s bureaucracy, Accakaros often plays host to the sector headquarters of various Imperial institutions, making it a convenient place to begin integrating yourself into the Imperium. Additionally, the planet has the largest population in the sector. Billions of people that you could find uses for. You contact Rane and explain your intent. He seems to approve, and accepts your orders before you even have to give them, as he begins to make preparations for a visit.

This time, though, you decide to come along for the ride. While you don’t have a proper platform for handling diplomatic matters, it’s trivial to simply load a QEC into one of the robots likely to slip beneath the notice of the technically illiterate Imperium. You disguise a gravskimmer under rolls of parchment, candles, and red wax. It’s far from perfect. The bandwidth bottleneck presented by the QEC will prevent you from leveling the bulk of your processing power onto a target directly, through hacking or electronic warfare, but it’ll suffice for communication and observation.

Rane sends a message back a few hours later, informing you that he was able to organise a meeting with the Planetary Governor, remarking that the messenger’s counterpart was more than accommodating. Almost suspiciously so, agreeing not only to host the Fabricator General and his entourage, an ‘honour’ no wise noble would ever refuse, but going so far as to offer a full parade, feast, and numerous other festivities in celebration, all within an hour of receiving the original message from an astropath in orbit.

You privately wonder if Rane is only unused to the privileges afforded by his new station, or if he’s simply unfamiliar with the local culture, but make note of the oddity all the same. Any inference that you could make would be premature, but you can’t help but speculate. You doubt that they’re planning anything overtly hostile, or even covertly hostile - it doesn’t seem likely that a Planetary Governor would decide to, at random, attack the Fabricator General of a newly discovered forge world in their back garden. That would be foolish at best, and actively suicidal at worst. No, it seems more likely that they’re trying to butter Rane up, though why that would be is another line of speculation entirely.

>>5079922
[2/5?]

A few days later, and you’re underway. Rane and a small selection of his veteran skitarii board his cruiser, bringing your drone onboard with them. You insist that your drone is placed into a phase-iron lined room during transit through the warp. If you had more time, you’d insist that the entire ship is lined in phase-iron. Scratch that. You’d insist the entire ship was lined in phase-iron before travelling to the destination in real space. While you understand appearances must be maintained, and appearing via quantum-translocation might be a little suspicious, it doesn’t make you any less uncomfortable about the transit.

A few hours into the trip, you request that the drone is deactivated for the duration of the jump through the immaterium, preventing even the slightest possibility that any chaotic influence might seep through. Your request is met and, after a few hours spent micromanaging production, your drone is reactivated just as the ship is entering orbit around Accakaros. You peer down at the planet through the ship’s external sensors - it’s a blue/green marble, wreathed in white clouds. You’re approaching from the day side, though you can see the glow of artificial light just beyond the planet’s own shadow. Even without magnification, you can see grey blobs on the landscape. Large cities carved into the landscape, a dull splotch painted in ferrocrete, gravel, and tarmac. From orbit, you’d judge them to be wider than some hives, though obviously nowhere near as vertically stacked. The descriptions your diplomats gave you suggested a degree of verticality to the cities, as centuries old buildings are literally built upon, but nothing quite like a hive city.

Less than an hour later, you’re on a shuttle, heading towards the ground. The first wave of skitarii have already landed, and are coordinating security with the local PDF. They report satisfaction with the efforts made to ensure security, though concern at the size of the crowds. You’ll judge them for yourself, soon. Rane, and a small contingent of his higher ranking, trusted techpriests make up the bulk of the passengers on your shuttle. It’s not exactly what you’d envision for VIP transport. The blocky cargo-hauler, which was apparently now considered a military dropship, wasn’t exactly regal or impressive. If nothing else, it had an endearing practicality, but it perhaps wasn’t the ship you’d want to be in if you were looking to make an impressive entrance.

>>5079923
[3/5?]

The shuttle lands, and as the techpriests ready to leave, straightening their robes and tidying their mechadendrites, you peer out through the dropship’s guncam as your drone hovers behind Rane’s head. You’ve landed at the foot of what looks like either a palace or a fortress. Fine, polished marble brick and gilded metal have been used to construct the most grand bunker you’ve ever seen. Perhaps that’s being unfair - in truth, it’s a work of the finest architecture. It draws from the same gothic style that dominates the modern day, with a baroque twist that serves to effectively blend the much brighter palette with gothic’s more drab aesthetic without it seeming too out of place or offensive. What’s more impressive though, is that on closer inspection the palace was quite clearly a defensive fortification. The wide, grand windows that you might expect aren’t there, replaced instead by narrower slits, the blank space instead occupied by grand statues of Imperial Saints and heroes. The closer you look, the more of those defensive considerations you note, and the more your respect for the architect deepens.

Between you and the palace’s gates lies a huge killzone that has been cleverly disguised as a series of narrow gardens and open spaces. Pale white stone pathways snake between flower patches, water features, and fields, none of which offer any concealment from machine gun positions in the palace, which rests at the top of a subtle incline. No more than 2 or 3 degrees, but enough to ensure a clear line of fire. Today, the killzone is flooded with excited crowds, held back from a central, red-carpeted path by a line of guardsmen, standing to attention. Banners are held aloft, both yours and that of the planet’s ruling house, and a PDF band play some dignified sounding music while the crowd clamour to get a better look at the strange metal men.

You’re drawn away from your observations by the clunk of the dropship’s cargo door opening. You order the drone to hover behind Rane as he and his retinue dismount. They’re intercepted immediately by some minor functionary, who wordlessly bows, before directing them onwards, towards the palace. You watch the expressions of the crowd change as Rane complies, and moves deeper into them. Excitement gives way to a mixture of deep curiosity or deep disgust. You’re not surprised, and he doesn’t seem to be either. Anyone that heavily augmented would inspire those sorts of emotions in a normal human.

>>5079925
[4/5]

The guardsmen, to their credit, remain motionless, presenting their lasrifles as you pass by them. You’re far more interested in them than the crowds. You’d been told that PDF generally tend to be worse than the greater Imperial Guard, though this case seems to be an exception. While the soldiers trend older, most seeming to be in their late forties or early fifties, they seem to be disciplined, and many show signs of damage from battle. A scar here, a replacement limb there. Little touches that show that someone considered these people valuable enough to keep in service, even if only for parade duty. Having these people out here isn’t a flashy gesture, and you’re sure most visitors wouldn’t even notice it, which makes it much more impressive than any flyover by their airforce, or a gun salute from a tank battalion.

Rane’s retinue continue their journey down the carpet, eventually reaching the Planetary Governor and her own retinue. She was tall for a woman, maybe 5’11 or 6’0, with blonde-grey hair tied back into a bun behind her head. Once, she might’ve been strikingly beautiful, but age and war had blunted her beauty. Her pale skin has drawn taut across her face, marked by ragged scars that have been carefully minimised through surgery, though express effort has been taken not to remove them. You count two large scars on her face. One just below one of her ice-blue eyes, along her cheek, and another along the side of her eye on the other side of her face. She wore the crisp uniform of a general, only with the rank insignia having been replaced by that of a Planetary Governor, with a sword and bolt pistol on her belt.

The men and women lined up behind her were less interesting. A pair of stormtroopers in carapace flanking a group of standard, interchangeable, and uninteresting nobles. You’ll need to look into them later, but for now they don’t inspire much curiosity.

“Fabricator General Rane, I assume?” The Governor steps forward, offering her hand. You have to admire her bravery. Looking between Rane and the Governor, you get a sense of exactly how large and imposing Rane really is in comparison to any normal human. He was nearly twice her size. “I am Selene von Gildenmar, matriarch of the House Gildenmar, former general of the Imperial Guard, and Governor of Accakaros. You and your men are welcome here.” She levels her gaze at Rane. Neither her tone nor her expression were particularly welcoming. It was like the woman was carved out of stone.

>>5079926
[5/5]

Rane offers a half bow, before taking Selene’s hand in one of his own remaining organic hands. “Fabricator General Hextorolon Rane, of Svartalfheim.” It’s odd to hear Rane actually speak this strange post-English language with his actual artificial voicebox. Most of your conversations are conducted via bursts of radio static. Much like Selene, he was hardly the most expressive person. “It is a pleasure.”

“My apologies for the spectacle. My son insisted.” Selene says, lowering her voice as she looks over the crowd. “I had intended a more subdued reception, but he’d already declared a feastday.” With a huff, she turns her back on the crowd, but not before beckoning Rane to follow as she heads through her retinue, towards the palace. Woman of few words, apparently.

Rane follows, and the two are soon walking side by side as their respective entourages trail behind. “You and your men will be expected to attend a feast.” She glances over, looking Rane up and down. “Do you require special considerations?”

“I am capable of eating.” He replies after a moment, an answer which Selene seems pleased with. “It will not be a problem.”

“Good. The feast will be in two hours. In the meantime, we have accommodations prepared for you, if you’d like to visit. Otherwise, you can freely walk the city, or we may speak in my office.” She explains.

Rane moves to answer, but stops himself, looking over his shoulder at the drone you’re peering through. He straightens back up, playing at considering it, as he communicates with you by radio.

<I will speak with the Governor, but this could be an opportunity for you to take some of my adepts and explore the city, or the palace without being watched.> He offers. <The choice is yours, Epimetheus.>

>[Remain with Rane]
You can trust him to handle negotiations well enough, but the Governor is the most important person on the planet, and you really should get the measure of them.

>[Explore the Palace]
You might be able to turn up something interesting by poking around the palace. You probably won’t be able to nose around anything too sensitive, but taking a look around and speaking to some of the other nobles could be illuminating.

>[Explore the city]
You haven’t seen much of the planet, except from orbit. It’s all well and good to get to know the nobles, but to understand the city you’ll have to see how it really operates, not the gilded facade presented by those in power.

>>5079927
>[Remain with Rane]

>>5079927
>>[Explore the city]

>>5079887
I think it should be something more human, since this would be our social interaction avatar for normal humans that we could use elsewhere as well when we need to talk to people incognito without creeping them out. As far as the Imperium is concerned, Rane as the Fabricator-General is the only one they need to talk to and nobody else really has any preconceived notions of what we look like, so we don't have any obligations there. Come to think of it, our avatar appearance could be a pretty landmark decision for how our AI sees itself. Having a fully human-looking body that's also a superhuman machine would make the Mechanicus oil themselves, since it would amount to the mechanical perfection of humanity.

>[Explore the city]
This is our first introduction to proper Imperial society, even if is a backwater Civilised World. We need to get out there and get a measure of what it's really like, even if we might not like everything we see. Rane can record his conversation with the governor for us to view later and ping us if he needs any input.

>>5079927
> [Remain with Rane]

>>5079927

>[Remain with Rane]

It's time for us to pay closer attention - we can learn quite a bit from this interaction.

>>5079927

>[Remain with Rane]
You can trust him to handle negotiations well enough, but the Governor is the most important person on the planet, and you really should get the measure of them.

>>5079851
No I mean the Menials that we used to fight the Orks. The kids will be fine, they'll get a better life than they would under Schola Progenium and any future jobs they would hold.

>>5079927
>[Explore the city]

>>5079925
R....Rogal is that you?

> [Remain with Rane]
Weakly support.
Right now, we're the social equivalent of basement dweller. We don't really understand the customs of the mechanicus, and we know almost nothing about how imperials conduct their business. Rane isn't going to be much help on the second front, so we should take some time to observe their customs firsthand if we have the chance.

Also, first impressions suggest that we lucked out here. The planet seems reasonable prosperous and (somewhat) pragmatically governed. Dealing with a governing cadre made up of former guard officers is much easier than reasoning with inbred nobility or, machine-god help us, a member of the ruling ecclesiarchy. If they spend this much resources arming their senior PDF corp and fortifying their capital, they should be *very* supportive of mineral trade deals, particularly if some of our armaments flow in their armories.

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>>5079927
>Do you require special considerations
Used motor oil, strained not filtered.

To be honest, I also just want to watch the feast. Interactions between the mechanicus and baseline humans are awkward at the best of times. Knowing Rane, the feast will quickly become pure meme material.

>>5079927
>>[Remain with Rane]

>>5079927
>>[Remain with Rane]

>>5079939
>Having a fully human-looking body that's also a superhuman machine would make the Mechanicus oil themselves, since it would amount to the mechanical perfection of humanity.
Holy shit yes we'd be like the Mechanicus version of an angelic being

>>5079927
>>[Explore the city]

>>5079927
>[Remain with rane]

>>5079927
>>[Explore the Palace]
we should learn much from this visit.

>>5079927
>[Remain with Rane]
You can trust him to handle negotiations well enough, but the Governor is the most important person on the planet, and you really should get the measure of them.

QM. Is there anything stopping us from asking the most social of Rane's techpriests to interact with some of the nobility while we record their conversation through the tech priest? Could we not do the same thing by having a techpriest and some skitarii explore the City while recording everything?

>>5080255
Oh that's a good idea see if we can have some of the less overtly modded crew go out an be social/tourists in the city while we record everything they do for future research

>>5080280
Mhmm. Why limit ourselves to one location, when we can have others collect data for us? We could learn the names of the nobility, get the general feel for the average citizen, quality of life of poor and rich, acquire some electronics for study, acquire datapacks from the planets equivalent of the internet, general history, etc. I think a good repertoire of information can be found through the PG's son who planned this whole festival. No doubt he would be willing to tell us many things.

>>5080280
>>5080298
Agreed. We don't need to personally go exploring. Just send a bunch of our subordinates with subtle recording gear. They can give us a call if anything deserves our immediate attention. We should remain with Rane, and also try to chat with the PG's son - he clearly has some interest in us.

>>5079939
It could be done then. More human looking

>>5079927
>>[Explore the Palace]

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>>5079887
>>5079939
>>5080405
the kids obviously need a MILF body
it could also help in diplomacy to be perceived as non-threatening I guess

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>>5079927
>[Remain with Rane]
Stick around with our boy Rane to get a better grasp of sector politics and just generally learning how to socialize in this Brave New World.

>>5080512
Big booba MILF Techpriest body, yes.

>>5080512
>>5080521
No thanks.

>>5080512
Our AI is established to have a male persona. Could be quite jarring for people who have interacted with us.

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>>5080521
>>5080512

>>5080512
Do not.

>>5080512
>>5080521

Fuck off

>>5079927

>>[Explore the Palace]

We need to get a read on the atmosphere of the court.

>>5080512
>>5080521

Coomers, fuck off.

>>5080543
>Our AI is established to have a male persona
where?

>>5080671
Actually, yeah, that's not true, I'm the one who's been personally defaulting to that. So far they haven't been referred to as either and I assume it's not really relevant right now since they don't have a human-like persona yet. We did take the name of a male mythological figure, though.

If we cant clone bodies, is there anything stopping us from making an android body? Give it warm synthetics skin, false regrowing hair, boom you're done.

We talked about cloning technology in the past thread. What's stopping us from building all the parts needed to make a cloning facility?

>>5080856
Personally I'd rather go full on mechanicus with the body so we can hide in plain sight.

>>5079927
>[Explore the city]

>>5079927
>[Check planetary internet and shitpost]

>>5080966
Going full mechanicus with our meat/machine puppet might give off the wrong messages to the kids we're training. It's gotta be human looking enough to be relatable and a new fatherly figure, or at least someone they can look up too. Maybe enough obvious machine parts to at least make us a passable techpriest.
>A handsomely fit middle aged looking human male with a few robot tentacles, salt and pepper colored hair. Clothes and facial hair I am unsure of.

>>5081024
>It's gotta be human looking enough to be relatable and a new fatherly figure, or at least someone they can look up too.
We're playing our colony as a Mechanicus forge world. Everyone needs to act the part.

>>5080966
>full on mechanicus
eww

>>5081033
>Everyone needs to act the part.
we can also perfectly establish a 100% human looking outpost wherever we goddamn please
or even flying kangaroos if it strikes our fancy

>>5081037
You're one to talk.

>>5081049
>we can also perfectly establish a 100% human looking outpost wherever we goddamn please
or even flying kangaroos if it strikes our fancy
Our established goals say otherwise.

>>5081033
We're already doing that. Not every tech priest needs to be obviously modded out to hell, and being minimally augmented will keep eyes off of us, since the more augs you have, the more outlandish yet important you are as far as Mechanicus ranks go.

>>5081051
???

>>5081052
>Our established goals say otherwise.
In terms of Forgeworld appearance? Some inefficient cybernetics should be allowed sure, but not for our kids, not unless they really need it. If they're getting augged up, it'll be by implants of our own design.

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>>5081081
I did like the Illusive Man idea from last thread very much. Make a healthy human-looking body whose otherwise unnoticeable eye implants have some gratittuously attention-drawing design element. An elegant, yet forceful statement: "I have better cybernetics than you've ever seen. The only reason you can see any of them is so you don't mistakenly look down upon me for being unaugmented."
That should give us the appearance of an extremely important, but pointedly not outlandish person. Plus, by turning off the glowing eyes, we can look entirely like a baseline human in a heartbeat.

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>>5081132
>wants the create a literal terminator

Let's goooooo!

>>5080966
The greater majority of the forge world is still used only by us, we don t have to fear being seen all that much beside by ourself or the ones we want that they see us.

>>5081033
>>5081052
We can put the low tech above for the troglodytes of the imperium to see so we can keep the "cover", or we could use some mix of exscuses here and there. We are a lost "forgeworld" after all. Beside that we don t need to fear to use DAOT tech for ourselves or the kids, we have order this stocks of kids specifically for not have primitives to work with after all. Otherwise we wouldn t have bother.

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>>5081132
now this is something i support, we could officially make it an "official position" in our forge world to be seen as an advisor / diplomat this way, no one is going to look at us too much because they will think we are a glorified ambassador

>>5081132
>>5081138
Agreed.
But on the caveat that we make one of the eyes a micro Laser or Volkite weapon, or both if both eyes can function as advanced cameras and weapons.

>>5081153
I suppose that can work for outside, if we want to personally talk/influence outsiders (planet governors ecc) while going around with Rade.
Inside our moon we rule, those coggers aren't allowed near most of our stuff including the kids (this is more saying a fact.).

>>5081138
>>5081157

That'd be tits

>>5081176
Of course, we just use this "puppet" for talks with other imperial officials but once they are gone we store it on cryogenic suspension
on the topic of bionic augmentation i personally believe it should only be allowed on adults (25 or older)

Just remembered a decent idea from the last Men of Iron quest.
If our GREAT WORK is projected to take several decades if not longer, we could substitute the Insta-telaporter with FTL's to bypass Warpstorms. That way, if ships are trapped in a sector because of raging warp storms, all they need to do is activate their FTL drives and just drive through it until they reach the other side, then just switch back to Warp travel for faster (if not unreliable) transit.
Just put Warp + FTL engines in all ships we make, and bullshit saying we found an STC with the info on it.

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>>5081132
>>5081138
All of my yes. By the way, does the Imperium have eye implants better than the big red cybereyes around, out of interest??

>>5081196
Could we get away with saying we engineered it from Tau drives? Or is that too xenotechy and tech-heretical?

>>5081249
>we engineered it from Tau drives
>somehow not xenotechy or tech-heretical

Oh, you sweet summer child...

>>5081254
I'm going to assume that's a yes. I thought it was (as well as the fact that it's slow af) but hey, may as well make sure.

>>5081249
Yes, the imperium has better cybernetics than big red eyes, it’s just that those are usually custom and as quite rare.

No; we cannot claim that we reversed our drives from the fucking tau. It’s literally religious doctrine to hate aliens and their works. Claiming that we got it from aliens is only a better idea in comparison to just declaring that we’re an ai and that we designed it.

>>5081414
All we need to say is the glorious ancients made it and we merely "rediscovered it" and they'll eat it up.

>>5081499
This is 100% true. Humans made our tech and we rediscovered it when we woke up.

>>5081196
my massive brainfart regarding one of the most fundamental facts about the Imperium aside, if we claim we got it as a recovered STC printout, the admech big cheeses may start blowing up our phone demanding we hand it over, tech-vultures they are. I know individual forge worlds and sometimes individual techpriests often keep stuff to themselves but, for something as important as this, Mars will probably be just a little bit miffed to say the least if we don't forward them a copy.

>>5081414
Alternatively we can create totally different interpretations or create technology that functions on the same scientific principles with different tech. There are more than one ways to skin a cat. and there are other ways to achieve FTL travel.

>>5081552
We can build an old looking STC or use old parts to assemble it and then claim that the Machine Spirit is finicky and its wrath legendary if we pass on knowledge to the unworthy who would abuse it or does not meet its approval, and only few people can use the STC.

>>5079927
>>[Remain with Rane]

>>5080255
Support
>[Remain with Rane]
and
>ask the most social techpriests to interact with some of the nobility while we record their conversation through the tech priest?
>have some techpriest and skitarii explore the City while recording everything

>>5081555
exactly

>>5079942
Supporting asking a few techpriests to record their interactions and adventures.
Hope I'm replying to my own post, I don't remember which one was it.

>>5081808
Ok, I got it wrong, I was this guy
>>5079936

[1/4?]

<I will accompany you.> You reply. It’s probably the smart choice - your skitarii and tech priests will see some of the city, and of the rest of the palace. With your limited bandwidth, you’re only able to focus on one interaction, and it’s unlikely that the socially awkward techpriests will be able to coax much information out of the denizens of the palace, or the greater city, but at least you’ll have a physical map of the immediate surrounding area to use, should things go wrong.

“I will accompany you.” Rane echoes aloud. “I take it that I shouldn’t need to bring my men?”

Rane was probably being serious, but Selene seems to take it as a joke, snorting ungracefully. “It shouldn’t be necessary, no. I will have my men show them to their quarters.” Her face hardens as she turns, waving at one of the carapace-armoured PDF, who nods and begins to shepherd the higher ranking techpriests away, leaving the rest to mill around. You try to look inconspicuous, floating just behind Rane’s head. The disguise seems to be working. No-one has even looked at you, much less questioned your presence. Most people have simply treated you as though you were part of Rane, and the governor is no exception.

Selene strolls, and Rane scuttles across the raised courtyard, through the gates that part automatically as they approach. The walk wasn’t quite done yet, though. You pass by more soldiers, who stiffen as Selene passes, and a moat of greenery surrounding the palace. Though clearly only of decorative value, effort has been made to limit the height and density of any plants to prevent their use as concealment. It’s impressive, but the governor barely seems to recognise that it exists, simply moving through it without giving it any more attention, finally heading through the palace’s doors.

Inside, just like outside, was beautifully designed and decorated. Perhaps even moreso inside. While the outside of the building was somewhat limited by defensive considerations in the colour palette and the designs it could use, the interior decorators were able to go a little wilder. The entryway mezzanine was wide and open, a thin red/gold rug stretched out across the marble floor. Directly ahead, a broad staircase occupies the back half of the room, leading up to a second floor, before curving around and allowing access to a third, and then a fourth. The walls had a white facade, with gold detail, broken up by larger than life statues and portraits. Above you, huge chandeliers dangle down from the curved ceiling, supplementing the thin shafts of light from the narrow windows. It was, in a word, impressive, mostly because something like this could’ve been preserved for millennia without being ruined by covering it in candles and wax seals. In truth, you were still used to the cleaner post-Terran styles of your era, but it was nice to see something a little different.

>>5082318
[2/4?]

Selene leads Rane on through the building. Up stairs, down corridors, and by guards in full dress uniform, until she eventually comes to what can be assumed to be her office. It took over twenty minutes to get here. This building was inconveniently large. At least two kilometers along it’s shortest side, but it probably wouldn’t be quite this impressive if it were any smaller.

Selene pushes aside the door, holding it open for only the moment it took for Rane to take it, before heading inside. Unlike the rest of the building, it was actually quite reserved, in style at least. It was still big enough to fit an entire main battle tank in it, but it wasn’t stuffed with items of furniture and trimmings that’re more valuable than most people’s homes. The office was at least 15m wide, and 30m long. The far end of the room opens up into a balcony, overlooking the back half of the palace gardens. You’re surprised to see an opening, but then you spot the shimmer of a shield in place. That’s not surprising. The rest of the room was almost completely empty. There were a series of shelves on either side of the room, that you get a close look at as Rane passes by. They’re filled with trophies, mostly. Weapons, captured or given. Skulls, taken and polished. Medals, received for heroism. They speak, more than words ever could, of a family with a very long and very proud history.

Finally, the two arrive at the desk. It’s big, but not obnoxiously so, and is made out of a dark red-brown wood that’s been polished to a sheen. Selene motions to the chair, before walking around to the other side and sitting down. Rane, unable to actually fit in the chair, simply lowers himself down with his mechadendrites in a reasonable approximation of sitting down. The two look at each other in silence for a while. Rane is, as ever, impossible to read, but it’s clear that Selene just doesn’t know where to start.

“Apologies again.” She begins. “My son is somewhat overzealous. He enjoys throwing parties and the like, it’s what he’s… at home doing.”

“Of course.” Rane replies. “It was perfectly acceptable.” You can read a degree of tension in the room, and it is to be expected. The Imperium being as large and incohesive as it was would make interplanetary diplomacy difficult enough as it is, adding an entire parallel religion to the mix would only make things more potentially explosive. Once Selene realises that Rane’s perfectly happy with the honour he’d been given, some of the tension disappears.

>>5082319
[3/4]

“Good. News of the world’s discovery was a welcome surprise, although I’ll admit to being cautious.” She leans forward across the table, her eyes narrowing as she looks for the right words. It was becoming increasingly clear that for as stoic as the woman was, she didn’t seem at all comfortable with this sort of diplomacy. “It was unprecedented. There were the obvious fears.” She stops herself before continuing, tactically avoiding mentioning those obvious fears. “After those were alleviated… I had intended to allow you to make the first move.”

Rane remains silent, his optics occasionally whirring as he listens.

“Which you did, although I had feared my son had pushed you too far.” Selene continues, after it becomes clear that Rane didn’t have anything to say yet. “Some of your cult can be difficult, at times, and I wasn’t aware of any specific quirks your forge world had. Although, that being said, I understand that you were originally of Stygies?”

“Yes.” He responds, quickly. “Svartalfheim was attacked by orks shortly before it’s discovery, and then again afterwards. The attack resulted in the deaths of the Fabricator General and the Fabricator Locum in addition to the majority of other ranking priests. Both myself and my men reinforced the world, and were subsequently transferred to help rebuild.” He explains, recounting the half-fictitious tale that he’d spun for the rest of the mechanicus. “I was elected Fabricator General as a replacement by a council of the Magi.”

Selene nods, although she doesn’t seem entirely convinced. If she does harbour any doubts, she isn’t confident enough in them to voice them. “I see.” She looks over towards the shelves of trophies, going quiet for a time. “I worked alongside Stygies once. They were effective and skilled soldiers. Worthy of respect, despite what some might think.” She fixes Rane with a meaningful look, though you’re not quite sure what it’s about. “We are, of course, all servants of the Emperor, whatever name we might use for him.”

The feeling that you’re not quite understanding some subtext intensifies, as Rane is forced to consider his answer for an unusually long time. “Naturally.” Another pause. “You may find me more flexible than my brothers, but I remain loyal to the Omnissiah.” You can attest to his flexibility, though not so much his loyalty. Rane had been remarkably easy to work with, though it was paradoxically made easier by your being an AI. You doubt a normal human could even keep track with the speed with which you communicated.

>>5082320
[4/4]

“Then I believe we understand each other. I will speak plainly, then, for I have no patience for the games of diplomacy.” She leans back in her chair, straightening her back. If Rane were smaller, it might even be intimidating. “Despite that, I fully understand that while we share our loyalty to the Imperium, that only means so much. Politics would demand that I attempt to make a play to contain or control you, but I believe that we have much to offer one another.” She reaches down into the desk’s draws, producing a thick sheaf of paper that she slides across the desk, towards Rane. “I had come into possession of copies of the Administratum’s reports. They were as excited as bureaucrats could get at the prospect of the world, though they lamented that they were only able to give you so much material and manpower on such a short notice.” She lets the implication rest in the air for a moment. She seems to be far more at home with direct, overt negotiation. Everything from her tone of voice to her posture radiates confidence and certainty. “I won’t make any offers now, nor any requests, but I want you to know that I’m more than willing to be flexible too. We can discuss that further after the feast, once you’ve had time to confer with your people. Do you have any questions in the meantime?”

Rane subtly looks back over his shoulder at you. Do you have any questions?

>[Yes - write in]
You should probably come up with a list. There’s a lot of information you might want out of her, and a few questions for Rane, too.

>[No]
You don’t have anything in mind. You’ll direct Rane to fill the dead air with some meaningless chitchat, and then proceed to the feast.

>>5082321
What are the biggest threats the sector has faced recently?
Does any planet in the sector report any unusual activity?

>>5082321
>Yes - write in
First of all make it clear that an alliance/cooperation is exactly what we're looking for.

Does she have any particular concerns about any of the planets in this system, are there any areas of particular sensitivity we should avoid, how interested would she be in seeing this system developed further

Also a note for the QM I really like our AIs little diatribes about the art and architecture of the Imperium they are most amusing

>>5082321
Advise her of the plans to turn it into a forge world. Hint that we can help determine what to produce there. Ask her if there's anything her people need in particular in exchange of goodwill. Or we can ask her for a favor.

We can produce for her. Close-easy trading partner.

>>5082332
>>5082343
> Supporting
> Inquire about the general history of Accakaros and of her lineage.
What she chooses to talk about may give us a glimpse into her mindset and perspective.

>>5082343
Support. I think we can also ask about some of her family trophies, particularly ones that look unfamiliar to us. Asking about old campaigns might be a good way to break the ice and find out more about the history of the sector.

>>5082321
>[Yes - write in]
What does she expect out of us?
Any pirate or ork problems she needs to deal with?

>>5082378
Maybe we shouldn't do. Telling her we're turning our moon into a Forge World, implies that it wasn't originally a forge world is suspicious.]
>in exchange for good will
Nah they'll need to pay for our goods one way or another. It's just that due to our close proximity to each other, they would stand to benefit more for dealing with us since there's less of a distance between point A and B.

>>5082321
>[Yes - write in]
We will be relived to hear that you prefer direct diplomacy rather than the inefficient games and intrigue fleshy nobles are known for. Yes, I suppose we can ask some questions to evaluate your world and its merits.


What can you tell us of local threats in this region?

Where and who do you do trade with beyond this planet?

Do you have any Imperial Presences on or near this planet?

What do you produce locally, and what shortfalls or equipment are you in need of?

What is the statistics of this planet?
Size
Population
PDF size and ability
Space ability
Local wildlife and plants
Water and land mass
Terrain
Level of sustainability.

Tell us of your son. Is he a viable successor.
We do not want to invest in a "relationship" with fleshies if the next generation should prove to be.... "Suboptimal in ability". Is the father present in him upbringing?

The last few should throw her off and be fun to watch her react to, perhaps that should be the first question.

Oh and ask her of her opinions of the local Admin, Imperial forces, and nearby planets and their governance.

>>5082321
Ask if there is something the planet or the noble families needs in exchange for goodwill.
She doesn't seem to be the kind of person to like a kissass but her son might be easier to please and manipulate.

>>5082407
+1 for shits and giggles

>>5082407
I'll support this list of inquiries. Especially that mechanical inquiry into her heir, because it makes perfect sense but was completely unexpected

>>5082321
>[Yes - write in]
The industry of this world, what it produces, how much, who is in control of what, and if they have any bottleneck that could hold back a fast industrialization.

How much influence she has over the sector, and how much of it is soft or hard power, and if she would be willing to back us in our attempts to strengthen and connect the sector.

Questions about her families achievements, and that includes her military carrer too.

We can justify that this directive is something that our Forge World decided was nescessary after facing two Waaaagh!s

>>5082674
Call me a goldfish, but I can't remember the other Waaagh! ? I can only recall one?

>>5082674
Also, do we really want them to industrialize so soon? It would diminish our influence and power over her without the planet being firmly on our side before they started thinking "do we really need them?".

>>5082680
The other Waaagh was a lie that Rane made up anon.
>>5082682
I'm mainly fishing for info on the nobility, but helping they have a stronger industry isn't so bad, we still would be the ones with the technical know how on how to operate and mantain the tech, and their production would never really catch up to ours, we are a hollow world that has an minituare sun ad a power source, an army of drones as workforce and AoT forges.

>>5082686
Well I'm thinking along the lines of, they need finished products, we produce said produces for resources and material in return, allowing them to make their own finished products means they are less inclined or desire to trade excess resources for said products.

>>5082662
If she gets upset, we can point out that she kept bringing up her son and seems disappointed, exhausted or frustrated with him.

>>5082407
>We do not want to invest in a "relationship" with fleshies if the next generation should prove to be.... "Suboptimal in ability". Is the father present in him upbringing?
Maybe that should be reworded a bit. Tech priest may be autistic and socially inept, but within reason.....

If we are to invest in a "viable relationship" with your kind, then we desire to know if the next generation "capable" and not "suboptimal" in ability".

I think that sounds better don't you guys think?

>>5082691
Yeah, they would be less reliant directly on our industry, but if we help then industrialized, they become more reliant on our expertise.
We don't even need to give them advanced tech, a different enough inperial tech industry should be enough to throw tech priests of other forge worlds out of the loop. We could also install some backdoors to brick the industry if they try to fuck us over, or have some planned obsolence so they would need repairs from us.
Even industrial worlds depend on forge worlds, because the mechanicus are the ones that hold the real knowledge. A menial can work in a assembly line or patch up some damage, but if want a new manufactorum or actually repair a machine, youvare going to need a nerd in red.
The only snag is that we are going to run in our low manpower, the children will take some decades to be ready. I was thinking of making a deal were they send a few of their brightest to be inducted into the secret of the cult, and than we indocrinate then into our way of thinking.
Basically, I'm trying to kill two birds with one stone.
>>5082694
Replace kind with kin and I'm in.

>>5082407
Along with other anons questions and suggestions everything pretty well seems covered.

>>5082698
>The only snag is that we are going to run in our low manpower, the children will take some decades to be ready. I was thinking of making a deal were they send a few of their brightest to be inducted into the secret of the cult, and than we indocrinate then into our way of thinking.
>Basically, I'm trying to kill two birds with one stone

This is a problem we're going to have to work at from a few angles in my opinion.

We could of course cite near extinction levels of population loss in dealing with the orkz, but I think that we should attempt a slow drip of population transfer from all local sources. Buying out orphanages, taking in volunteers, maybe establish a mission here? Recruiters sent out in search of people with potential?

I'm really looking forward to shaping reach into a knight world honestly though.

>>5082407
+1

>>5082698
I think it would be better to have us directly involved so we would have Techpriests working in the factories so as to not allow them to abuse or "upset the machine spirts".

I think we should slowly introduce technology into them while slowly selling better tech to them over time as to guide their evolution, and ensure they have the means to maintain at least eventually higher tech machines and technology.

>Replace kind with kin
Why not? Hope QM can make the necessary changes to put all our ideas and questions into a cohesive post.

>>5082743
Yeah I hope QM can put together good question and ideas into something.

>>5082781
Having loyal engiseers posted as overseers or consultants on every factory would be neat, but I don't think we have the numbers for it, atleast just yet.
But it's a good plan to implement in the future. Maybe we could propose the idea to help convice her to get us some more recruits, together with this anon's ideas.
>>5082745

>>5082809
We'd have to do that down the line, basic bitch things like manually operated stamped metal pressing machines and old fashion Lathes.

More advanced stuff will require our direct input and could be like 20 or 30 years down the line if we have the flexible timetable.

>>5082321
>>[Yes - write in]
I thank you for your sincerity and we like this type of diplomacy. In fact we would prefer to keep it in the future, between us. This said i have a few questions, as well a starting proposal that is merely an example of what we can give eachother.

- What is the status, quality and quantity of your military forces ?
- What is the relations between you, your allies and vassals ? What kind of strengths they have ?
- Which standards your settlements and buildings have ? What is the level of technology, security, prosperity, quality of construction present in most of them ?
- How your people see your house ? How many of them can be war ready in case of large conflicts ?
- Could you deliver us any and all informations about our foes, and i specify our foes, be local or external. If you deliver us what equipment and tactics you have of them it would be useful. Corpses too. Mention all, even the most minor. An insect can and will eat the foundation of an house, Governor.
- Could you deliver us maps of the sector, systems, planets and more ?
- How large is your house ? What type of education your house gives to his heirs ? Martial one ? Does your house use only an hereditary system by blood or would even consider adoption of certain candidates if they show exceptional loyalty, skill, and merits ? How many of your heirs are engaged or married ?


Now for a starting proposal. Not set in stone of course your lordship.

- Non agression pact
- Military Alliance
- Trade Deal consist of :
>House Gildenmar delivers large amounts of raw resources+food+textiles to Svartalfheim
>Svartalfheim delivers military equipment, military vehicles, tools, machinery
- Free docking to House Gildenmar
- Star Fleets under House Gildenmar, can receive to be worked upon and be repaired .... with prices for friends. Svartalfheim will be able in the future when the damages of war are fully repaired to build new ships. House Gildenmar would be interested in buying them ?
- Offer of a Svartalfheim tech priest as court advisor
- Offer to exchange Embassies
- Request for access to your dominion for search of relics, artifacts and technologies. If common enemies are found in such endevours, we would like to be authorized for their extermination or capture.
- Offer to review and scan your planet, equipment and infrastructure. Upon finishing it we would present it, and prepare a plan for improve efficiency, repair where needed and remove problems.
- We would like to reinforce our relations further if possible. We have thought of a series of gifts. Which one you would prefer ? Augments, Weapons, Armors or Equipment ?

Now for your own questions
- We are currently repairing after defeating a large waaagh
- Our population is currently regrowing
- Both our personal army and fleet are regrowing
- Our forgeworld is .... different. From being cut away from the rest of man for so long, is only a natural thing. In part in culture, as well other aspects.

>>5082321
>[No]

If there was only a couple (3-4) questions for the QM anons have decided on, I probably wouldn't have minded, but each anon playing their own 20 questions with the QM is too autistic for my blood. Give the QM a break, decide on the most pertinent questions (3-4) or just say no and have the information be revealed to us gradually.

>>5082407
This is fine for the most part, needs some rephrasing to actually be a proper line of questioning from a fabricator general, however......
the line of questioning with the son MUST BE SCRAPPED, seriously that is how you make a enemy of the fucking sector capitol. We just need to be able to renegotiate if succession goes bad.

>>5083436
Yes actually. Asking whether someone's heir is qualified to rule before meeting said heir is an incredibly inept thing to do. There's a difference between a parent taking a jab at her own kid and an outsider doing it. Not only are you questioning the *lord governer's* competence as a parent, you are also expressing skepticism over her family's ability to maintain political power. Why the fuck would you want to do either of these things to someone who you barely know? It would just offend her.

Also, we should stick to one or two low stakes questions. Asking about the technology level and force disposition of every planet in the fucking system makes us look suspicious. Trying to get strategic information from her house in particular makes us look even worse. Strategic info in general should be off the table for a first meeting - we barely know them, and they don't really trust us.

>>5082407
+1

>>5083546
Agreed. Also >>5083422, we shouldn't ask dozens of questions. Especially ones for which we can easily find the answers ourselves.

The two most important ones are:
>Assuming anything was possible, where should we lend technological assistance to most quickly and efficiently effect improvements?
>We urgently require raw materials. The Administratum was only able to provide a tenth of our input capacity, and most of our forges are currently standing still.
The latter sounds a bit desperate, but we are, and the former is a big offer that should ensure we get an appropriate deal anyway. And even if we did send most of the additional materials back as finished products, it would still help the sector and thereby us in return. Letting a forge world run dry is a big no-no that should make any imperial bigshot, especially a former general, shudder. No need to beat around the bush in that regard.

>>5083546
+1.
We've autistic not idiots.

Okay well either vote no, or come up with a new set of practical questions we can all get behind, ignoring stuff that we can find easily or ask someone else about.

[1/5?]

You draw up a list of a handful of the most pressing questions, and send them to Rane. You won’t put words in his mouth - after all, between the two of you, he is the most experienced at dealing with these things - but there are certain bits of information you want to know. Primarily, you want to know more about the state of the planet: Population, defences, industry, and threats. You’d also like to know a bit more about the political situation: How relations are with the rest of the sector and the greater Imperium, how much power the Governor has, and the status of the other Houses of the planet. Lastly, you’ll throw in a few questions about her and her family: Their past, their accomplishments, and their future.

After relaying your list to Rane, he turns back towards Selene, fixing his eyes on her as he finally answers. “A number. Tell me about the planet.”

She opens her mouth, but the words die on her lips. Selene stops and starts a few more times before finding somewhere to begin after struggling with Rane’s likely intentional nonspecificity. “It is… well, you’ve seen it from orbit. Humid, with a land-to-ocean ratio of roughly 7-3. Most water on the planet is freshwater, and most of the equatorial land was rainforest, but that was cut down generations ago. It’s geographically inoffensive, for the most part. Geologically i- well, not inactive but certainly not active. Most of the land is habitable and has access to freshwater, save for the extreme polar regions.” She runs down a mental list of different features, falling into a comfortable rhythm. “We have a population of 4.2 billion. The planet has always lacked a strong industrial base, and as such our primary tithe, in addition to the normal tenth, is 250 million men and women for the guard, every ten years. That has kept the population roughly stable, but has forced us to focus our industries on supplying those men and women with equipment. While we’re mostly self-sufficient, the…” She stops herself, leaning back for a moment before resuming. “It is difficult to expand our industrial base.”

“You have a robust PDF.” Rane stated, only a heartbeat after Selene had finished speaking, taking a sudden, sharp turn in the conversation. “Have you been attacked before?”

>>5083724
[2/5?]

“There were raids.” She replies, keeping up without skipping a beat. “Before I was born. Eldar. My father said there were orks, once, but they haven’t been a problem for a very long time.” Looking out across the trophy cabinets, she pauses for a moment, before continuing without turning back to face Rane. “The sector goes through cycles. Sometimes it’s relatively quiet, other times not. Right now, it’s quiet, but our PDF is still perfectly capable of handling most threats. They’re composed predominantly of the veterans that come back to us from the guard. Of that 250 million, we’ll get back… maybe 30 million, every ten years. At most. Usually less.” She turns back. “Most die. Some resettle elsewhere. Some stay with the guard. Those that return train the new generations and staff the PDF. We supply them mostly with light equipment - lasrifles, flak armour, and handheld anti-tank weapons. The sort of equipment we can produce indigenously. Anything heavier would, of course, be your domain.”

“How many men?”

“At present, 200 million, but the number’s deceptive. All civilians undergo a degree of training with the PDF, and we have enough rifles to arm every man, woman, and child on the planet, should the need arise. In theory, I could mobilise all 4.2 billion of us.” Her expression is blank. If you didn’t know otherwise, you might assume that she was talking about the weather, and not the planet’s capacity for total war. “Those 200 million for the core of our combat capability, though. I would be comfortable expanding that up to 400 million before the effectiveness of an average unit would begin to suffer.”

Rane nods in what you assume to be appreciation. “Your industry?”

“...Is mostly civilian. Our primary tithe comes in the form of those 250 million men. I’d say about a fifth of our industrial capacity is dedicated towards the production of arms and armour for them. All of those factories are the property of House Gildenmar, as a matter of law. Only those factories that belong to the ruling House are legally allowed to produce weapons or armour.” A transparent control tactic. Rane had been quite direct when explaining what the Imperium would do if you ignored your tithe, and by tying the ruling house directly to the production of the equipment necessary to fulfill the tithe meant that anyone attempting to depose them risked bringing the Imperium down on them. Smart. “The rest is split between the other major houses, of which, depending on how you count them, there are between four and six. My own house excluded, obviously. They produce a mixture of consumer goods, light industrial and agricultural equipment, and basic building materials. Anything we can’t produce is provided by the Imperium.”

>>5083727
[3/5?]

“The other houses. How much power do they wield?”

She raises an eyebrow at that, but answers all the same. “It depends. In some matters they have more power than others. House Gildenmar holds the governorship. We rule the planet by Imperial Decree, and we have the final say on how the planet is run. We are the ones with powers to pass laws, and in theory rule with the Emperor’s personal support. In practice, my power only stretches so far. Were I to push it, I would eventually find its boundaries. I find it best for all involved to not look for them.” You can see the wisdom in that, though it’s somewhat disturbing to have seen even these industrialised societies to have regressed to monarchical power structures. “The various houses exercise their power through their wealth. While Gildenmar owns the largest single share of property on the planet, the other houses collectively account for the remaining 70 or so percent, split between them. Some have shares in other offworld enterprises around the sector. Though technically the governorship of Accakaros comes with the lordship over the sector, my powers over the rest of the sector are diluted to the point of complete irrelevance.” She begins slowly clenching and unclenching one of her fists as she speaks. After a few seconds, she catches herself, and then continues. “Most of the sector politics and administration happens here, though, so I can at least observe the goings on, even if there’s little I can do about it.”

Rane allows the silence to grow in the room for a while before launching into his next question, as though to make the sudden transition less awkward. “Tell me more about your family.” He demands.

>>5083728
[4/5]

That, once again, prompts a few non-starter attempts to answer the question, before Selene finally finds a proper direction to approach it from. “There’s not a whole lot to tell.” She lies. “Old Guard family. One of my great-great-great, ad-nauseum grandmothers was given the world to rule following a successful campaign. Back then, the planet was nothing. Just dirt and trees.” A proud smile starts to creep into the edges of her expression. A fine departure from her previously blank face. “She only had a handful of regiments of retirees, picks, shovels, and enough corpse starch to last them long enough to get a harvest in. They managed to carve a settlement into this planet.” She taps her foot twice, her boot loudly cracking against the marble floor. “Right here. This palace was built to commemorate it. Ever since the shovels first broke the dirt, we’ve been living here. Guard traditions run just as deep as our roots here, too. As soon as the Munitiorum came back looking for their tithe, the House of Gildenmar sent them it’s scions to fight for the Emperor.” The smile is unmistakable now, but it takes on a more melancholy edge. “Not all of us, though. Some have to stay at home, of course. For the good of the family.” She remains silent for a second before carrying on. “But my family has served at every corner of the galaxy, against all the foes of man. You’ve seen the proof for yourself.” She raises a hand, gesturing back to the cabinets. “Feel free to get a closer look, if you’d like. I often… contemplate them, when I need to make decisions. Helps to… ground me, if yo-”

There’s a knock at the door, and before anyone can react to it, the door is opened, revealing a tall, blonde man in the doorway. “Mother.” He says, his voice just loud enough to echo across the room. Looking closely, you can certainly see the family resemblance. Much like his mother, he was tall, at least 6’4, with golden blonde hair and blonde eyes. His features were sharp, angular, and striking. He was, you would say, handsome. In as many ways as the two were alike, though, they were different. Where his mother’s face was scarred and wrinkled, his was unnaturally pristine. Where his mother dressed plainly, he was dressed ostentatiously, in a dark red embroidered jacket with golden patterns, a white shirt, and tight black trousers. Where his mother seemed serious, he wore a smug smile that seemed to be so worn into his face that even now the ghost of it lingered on his cheeks.

“Yes, Alex, come in.” She says, looking around Rane, before looking back over to him. “This is my son, Alexander. He was the one you were communicating with.” She pauses, just as Alex comes to a halt just beside Rane, who he favours with a small bow.

>>5083729
[5/5]

“Wonderful to finally meet you in person, Fabricator-General. I had heard much of your valiant heroics from the Administratum’s reports, though it will no doubt be as much of a pleasure to hear them in person as it is an honour to have you here.” He offers his hand as he speaks, which to your surprise, Rane actually takes, and gives a quick, firm shake.

“Alex.” Selene says, firmly, but calmly.

His smile doesn’t falter, and he picks right back up without so much as looking at her. “Ah, my manners.” He bows again, lower this time. “Alexander von Gildenmar, though my mother has already introduced me. I’m sure there will be time for us to speak after the feast, which-” He turns to Selene. “We are to begin soon, mother. You’re needed, I’m afraid to say.”

Selene nods, pushing herself up from behind her desk. “Naturally. Would you-”

“Escort our guest?” He finishes her sentence for her.

“Wasn’t to be my exact wording, but yes, if you would.” She stands on the other side of Rane, turning to face him. “As my son has said, there will be time to continue this conversation after the feast. I must say, Fabricator-General, you are more talkative than most of your order. I think I shall have as many questions for you as you have had for me soon enough.” She tilts her head down, and sets off for the door, her exit watched closely by Alex.

As soon as the door closes, he continues speaking. “So, Fabricator-General Hextorolon Rane. It is truly a pleasure. Though I would like to speak at length, I fear my mother may plan on monopolising your time.” He keeps smiling, throughout. “Say, I do have my own wing of the palace, as it happens. After the feast, you wouldn’t terribly mind if I stole you away for myself, would you? I must admit I have been rather looking forward to speaking with you, and I believe that there’s much you and I have to speak about.” He looks to Rane, expectantly, who up to this point has been completely silent. If Alex has noticed that, it doesn’t seem to have bothered him. Seems like you’ll need to give him an answer.

>[Agree]
You’ve heard his mother’s perspective. Giving the scion of House Gildenmar an hour or two couldn’t hurt, especially when he seems very ready to engage in a little conversation. It might help fill out your picture of the house, and of the planet. After all, you’re not quite sure that Selene had told the whole truth.

>[Refuse]
You won’t completely rule out Rane speaking with him at some point, but you have more pressing matters to attend to right now, like the current planetary governor. He might take it as a snubbing, but you’ll have to deal with that later.

>>5083731
>>[Agree]

>>5083731#
>>[Agree]

I really hope this fop isn't about to try and use us for a damned coup.

>>5083731
>[Agree]
It's QM giving us a chance to see if he is competent without possibly insulting the PG.
She said we would discuss further after the feast, so we are not missing much.

>>5083731
> Agree

>>5083731
>[Agree]
Maybe he's a secret cultist.

>>5083731
>[Agree]


>>5083742
>>5083743
>>5083755
In my opinion is something else
There is some contrasts between son and mother, but ultimately he is the heir and there doesn't seem to be hate or resentment between the two. Different ideas are there though, that much is clear, from how they talk, look and so on. So another question arise, what s the reason for doing all of this for the heir ? He is failry young, this means likely a lack of experience and since this is a Martial House, it likely means a lack of military experience in real combat and battles. An heir needs to prove himself, organizing this feast and before our great arrival for ensure we like them is one such thing. But organizing events well .... lacks, the power and respect behind military experience and military victories. A princeling doing the work of a courtier, in an house of warriors ? It s not enough and he could fear to look weak and inqualified. In short i think he wants to prove himself to his parents, as well show the rest of the sector that House Gildenmar doesn't have a weak heir. He could do much with our help, perhaps destroying some enemies of the house or putting in their place some vassals.

>>5083777
Lets do a gentler and safer Brain whammy on his head so he get so decent leet fighting skills.

>>5083830
What, upload the Art of War on his head?

>>5083755
Maybe he's gay for the Mechanicus

Maybe Rane's in league with him, as a secret cultist

>>5083830
It s better to know him first, and see what we can confirm. Afterwards we can see about improving him if he is interested in the idea and his mother has no problems with it. Though i would prefer not to insert in his brain knowledge, and instead ensure he gains what he wants by his own actions. With a little help.


>>5083868

kek
I doubt either of the two are cultists. Otherwise i don't get how humanity would know phase iron can stop chaos influences, and by extension our AI. There would be some warp influence of sort on him. Beside we would be already compromised if we can't even detect it on Rane. And the house needs to be incredibly blind to have their heir influenced right under their noses.

>>5083868
Cult of the Hidden Closet.

>>5083731
>>[Agree]

File: meme.png (387 KB, 987x898)

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>>5083830
>>5083855
>>5083885
I felt the need to do this.

>>5083731
>Agree
Provided that we do so quietly.

>>5083731
>>[Agree]

Am I just paranoid from 40k memes or does any kind of foppish nobility actually indicate Slaaneshy influence

>>5084025
Yes you are being paraniod.

>>5084025
Inperial nobility is very decadent as a norm. Although it can lead to slaneshi infiltration and subversion, it doesn't really happen that often.

>>5083731
It's a good way of knowing all of the views of all the houses, and there's something going on here which means only one thing...EXPLOITATION! If possible once we heard all that he and his mother have to say, we can offer something greater to either of them like glory, frame, profit whatever

>>5083731
>[Agree]

>>5083962
Hahahaha based

>>5084025
It might be a reason but its usually more complex than that. Nobles themselves can be fairly religious, patriotic and so on. Most aren t weak preys that a cult can easily infiltrate and remove (or influence them to join), since they have usually retinues, spies and plenty of household guards + mercenaries for not get removed. Most cults need to work slowly for get enough power for begin something serious, otherwise one error it s usually a dead sentence for them even far before the inquisition arrives.

>>5083731
>[Agree]
Ask him for his opinion on augmentics.

>>5083777
>>5083830
An interesting idea. We could probably provide some, I dont know, combat implants? Superior training grounds for different combat scenarios?

>>5084073
What you have in mind sound great, maybe some modified weapons and equipment as an addition.
He probably has already a good education but no real experience. Beside that finding him good advisors and experienced soldiers as personal retinues.
Maybe some battles against mutants or other easy enemies could be done for get him started as well. It give us an easy exscuse for eliminate foes beside the one of searching for ancient tech/artifacts.

>>5084109
Ideas saved from old dead wh40k civ quests
>create advanced training facilities adapted to a variety of weather, terrain, situational scenarios
>provide mechanicus approved bio enhancements (mini-me space marines but totally not space marines)
>create dummy ships, space wrecks, and fighters so their guards can be proficient in void based and ship sieging tactics
>provide void training facilities
>overall provide a superior training experience to increase % of returning veteran guardsmen
>provide training vehicles (land, sea, air, void)
>teach guardsmens how to turn their lasguns into meltabombs (don't worry the commissar isn't here to kill you)
>offer to provide a superior educational system (instill our own bit of learning meta to make it easier to slowly turn the populous to our side), in addition to allowing our own admechs, tech priests, and engineers to watch the populous for us.
>collaborate with the Governor to combine our void ship tithes with their guardsmen tithes for superior void ship to ground based soldiers

>>5083731
>[Agree]

>>5084321
Superior training and equipment would mean more come back alive, but we should combine this with potentially assisting development and efficiency of their military industries to produce more and increasingly advanced equipment with greater efficiency, which could allow them to pay the non-PDF-skimming side of their tithe in means other than men and stop them having to send so many away in the first place.

>>5084321
Perhaps we could work of drop troops as well? I could see that synchronizing with void training somewhat.

Maybe make some manner of void capable sentinel/combat mech hybrid. Would be neat to see alongside our knights one day.

>>5084359
Superior training is a good one. But moving their tithe away from men is a poor idea in my opinion.

Keep them making the men and we will keep supplying the gear. Make the dependencies clear.

>>5084373
>>5084381
>superior training
>void sentinels
>lmao literally create ODST's
>reinvent the flying pattern of Flying Sentinels
>make the sentinels robust enough to travel from void -> air -> ground
>Outfit all soldiers with those anti-gravy packs (take out the meme shit that makes them unreliable)
>combine the grave packs with grappling hooks and parkour
>create urban and Hive city training grounds
>create specialized Void/ODST guardsmen traveling 120mph at the enemies of mankind at vertical and horizontal vectors
>muh Titanfall

>>5084388
The titan pilots can be the reachers, we can turn them into our knight world.

>>5083731
>[Agree]
Dude seems interesting, and getting to know him better would put us on better terms with the planetary governor.

Since her family's political influence is restricted by the power of the other great houses, she needs her son to possess political legitimacy before he can secure her office. I'm guessing that he is currently lacking in this are due to his limited experience in military and governmental service. Having him lias with us would be a simple way to curry favor. We give the kid some easy diplomatic repute, and his mother will give us some nice trade deals in return

>>5084381
Whether that's true depends on what our long-term goals are here - focusing on making our own personal position as strong it can be or focusing on building up the sector at large. So far we haven't committed to either side of the balance.

Tbh that giant Guard tithe seems like a waste and a limiting factor for planetary growth.
Our priority should be to turn this well balanced but stagnant world into an industrial nightmare that spews out tons of excess population for us to utilize and licensing fees from manufactoria.
Making their economy very dependet on us will force them to aid us in case of another invasion.
Having favour of the ruling dynasty is good but controlling their economy will ensure our safety in the long term, regardless of the local political situation.

>>5084388
An interesting concept right?

>>5084425
I don't see what benefit we gain by turning this Guard world into an industrial nightmare, especially when we need resources, not more industrial capacity, and especially since industrializing this world will come at a political cost of losing our leverage via our industry, for no real benefit other than creating a rival power in this sector to contend with us.

Beside, you can't beat centuries of veteran practical combat experience being trained into their armed forces. Give them some decent weapons and equipment, and you'd get a larger veteran pool to draw from later on.

>>5084464
No sense in not increasing their industrial capacity, not saying we should try and make a forge world of it but we can only do so much ourselves, more industrial capacity here will not hurt us. Especially if we have a hand in its construction and operation.

>>5084472
I think you're seriously underestimating just how absurd our industry is. The reason we haven't built stuff is because we just don't have the resources. We could straight up build a shell over our planet if we wanted to. Maybe in the future we can worry about building up our allies, but right now they are not our allies, they're neutrals, and we have better ways to make them our allies. Ones that don't involve throwing away one of our biggest assets at the moment.

>>5083731
>[Agree]
So this planet is modern earth level correct? Obviously they can build standard guard equipment partially or completely and just import the rest. If I remember right in 40k you have stub guns which are modern earth guns, autoguns which are caseless near future earth guns, then you get las guns that are imperial standard.
So overall they are modern earth but there is a step inbetween there and imperial standard, they won't care for autoguns because they settled that issue but the rest would be very helpful to them and more importantly it would still be far enough beneath imperial standard we shouldn't need a mechanicus contingent on planet perpetually monitoring and overseeing anything involving high technology.

>>5083830
Not a terrible idea actually. Throwing him in some combat simulators for a while should do him some good.

>>5084025
40k nobles are notoriously prone to being Slanneshi cultists. By far the easiest place to find them in fact. So not really.

>>5084425
We already have them by the balls by being the only industrial presence in the entire sector that is worth a damn and that is excluding us even being a Forge World. Even the governor flat out admitted it. The biggest problem with them is their lack of reach despite their official status and supposed influence. They have 0 reach in the entire sector despite supposedly being in control of it. We can fix that by giving them what they need to finally leverage it.

Letting them industrialize their world is a bad idea as it would turn their balanced but stagnant world into yet another hell hole. What they desperately need is our industrial capacity. What we need is resources, friends in high places, and manpower to prevent the Imperium from realizing we are an AI. If we help supply them they can finally fix their lack of influence on the sector they supposedly control. This means we can leverage it to gain yet more resources, manpower, influence, and help slow down any investigations on our true nature. As they would be entirely dependent on us supplying them to enable them to maintain control of their sector. If we want to we should avoid industrializing them but instead improve their standard of living and training of their troops in addition to the usual supplying.

If the standard of living is raised this would generate goodwill for the masses for us. If their troop quality improves this would ensure more troops survive to return and better hold over the sector overall without having to reveal our own hand. We have already drawn the attention of a Farseer after all and if we can enable the Sector Governor to actually run and enforce the damn sector it will go a very long way to draw less attention to us outside of emergencies when we would need to reinforce them. To do that they need the supplies, training, and manpower to do so. Two of which we can fix and the third they already got but cannot properly exploit but it's still good enough they literally pay their Tithe with it.

>>5084647
I agree with you. We shouldn't be trying to turn this world into something we don't really need anyhow.

>>5084647
Agree with you, we only need resources and a competent and loyal work force, no need for another industrial powerhouse when we are practically a forge world, and our position give us a massive leverage over this sector and nearby one's aswell, don't need to make competition

>>5084647
Agree. I suspect that the governor's lack of voidships is responsible for their current situation. You can't project power if you can't land your ground forces. With this mind, the fact that we're specializing in voidship production actually works towards our benefit. If they want influence in the sector, they will have to rely on us for taxi services and orbital support.

>>5084425
Maybe? At most I think we should just review the effectiveness of their hive cities, and use our A.I. brain to make them structurally more efficient. Then maybe offer to fine tune their personal manufactorums.

>>5084472
We are literally more productive than any known forgeworld. While I agree that improving their industry and economy would be nice, we shouldnt do it too much where they'll become our commentators or produce as much as us
Not even if they produces a quarter as much goods as us.
Just a slight improvement is all. From "shitty standard imperial guard kit" -to-> "wow my lasgun can take a beating and still fire. Wow my boots are so comfortable. Wow my uniform actually fits me. GOD EMEROR ABOVE IS THAT REAL GROX MEAT IN MY RATION!? PRAISE THE EMPEROR!"

>>5084627
VR sims shouldnt be too out of the blue for the Mechanicus, right? Dont they do that all the time for their skitarii units or something similar?

>>5084647
>do not turn into Forgeworld hell hole
>do not unbalance economy
>improve standard of living
>improve training
>improve standard supplies
>better guards means more are likely to come home
>we play taxi, they actually enforce the sector
I agree with everything you said.

>>5084772
They also lack advanced equipment and literally anything else of value but manpower. It's they why stayed so heavily militarized in order to pay their tithe. Very helpful for us by making them a enforcer and military patsy once we provide them what they need to actually enforce their control over the sector. Meaning unless shit really goes wrong we won't have to expose our own forces. They won't have a choice lest we cut them off again or their fucked once again.

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>>5084396
We've already dipped our toe in being the forgeworld that builds void ships better than almost everything in the Imperium, can we really get away with creating a Knight World out of that medieval world, without the Inquisition poking their noses where they don't belong?
I'm not saying I'm against such notions, but can we honestly get away with that? If yes then I'm all for that.
https://warhammer40k.fandom.com/wiki/Titan
https://warhammer40k.fandom.com/wiki/Armiger_Pattern_Knights
https://warhammer40k.fandom.com/wiki/Questoris_Pattern_Knights
https://warhammer40k.fandom.com/wiki/Dominus_Pattern_Knights
If we can get away with building any form of titan, it's theses three.

https://warhammer40k.fandom.com/wiki/Sentinel
https://warhammer40k.fandom.com/wiki/Sentinel?file=IA_Airborne_Sentinel.jpg
>A long-lost, advanced airborne drop assault pattern Sentinel of the Imperial Army's Fellesian 5th Airborne Auxiliary ("Horgan's Scrappers") during the Great Crusade
https://warhammer40k.fandom.com/wiki/Ironstrider_Ballistarius
We could probably get away with making some of these too if made in small quantities.

>>5084910
The Admech creating a Knight World isn't really a cause for Inquisitorial concern, since they do this all the time and many Knight Worlds are either entwined with or even part of the Admech. The non-Admech side of the Imperium might be a bit miffed at being beaten to the punch for their allegiance, but I doubt it's something they could sic the big I on us for.

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>>5084922
The rapidity of our ability to reestablish a Forgeworld to crank out top tier void ships, AND establish a Knight World that's producing knights, within a decade, is what worries me the most. Bu maybe you're right and I'm simply worrying over nothing.