>>5777002

You gaze through the camera feed as the first pod impacts the irradiated world’s surface. The retro boosters fire off heavily, kicking up clouds of dust and smoke as they rapidly slow down, an action that no baseline human would be able to carry out.

Switching to the feed of a robot, you regard the precinct-fortress, or more precisely the small percentage of it that is above ground. Quickly contacting the nearby exploration drone, you learn that the situation had remained unchanged since the first entrance of Apprentice. Bar the unexpected and unpredicted earthquake. You are still unable to figure out what had caused it. The sheer improbability of such a happenstance still continues to perplex you.

Begin advance.

The robots begin to march forwards as the dozens of defence drones rush forwards, moving in a zigzag formation, running interference against non-existent foes, still, caution is better than recklessness.

Halting right before one of the entrance ways, your force awaits and stand by. The largest one and the easiest to access being what you presume to be the motorpool, if this precinct-fortress is built to the standard like all others. And you have no reason to think otherwise.

You once again try to raise Apprentice, but even with the extra forces, everything appears silent.

Commence breaching procedures.

The lead robot unleashes his plasma beam, concentrated and short, it begins to cut right into the extensive and thick hull. This will take a while.
.
.
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Cutting a perfect circle, eventually an entrance is quickly made and the first drones rush in, only to be bathed in the red light of a multilas and stubgun fire.

And then things go dark.

Not a true darkness, but rather you lose the feed for your drones, they still function, despite the fire, but they appear to simply hover, as if losing all movement due to a power failure. You connection to them being so abruptly torn apart…is disconcerting.

“Halt fire, halt fire !” A shout rings out as finally a few of the drones are popped. “What in the name of the throne are those ?!” Another man shouts.

Of the half-dozen drones that entered, three were destroyed, whilst the remaining half simply float. Then they start to look around.

“Take cover !” One of the men shouts as the remaining trio of drones opens fire without command, targeting the humans huddling around what appears to be a Leman Russ tank and chimera APCs.

Error: cannot reestablish contact with defensive drones.

Warning: human lives endangered. Assuming direct control.

>>5777004

You lift the hand of the robot you are currently commanding and will gravity to obey your will. The three small drones smash into each other, gaps of a about half a meter in between them, the shield blazes with energy as the three spheres impact each other. Eventually, the sheer force of the gravity the drones are subjected to breaks their shields and the three white floating angular boxes smash into one another, their armour strains, groans and moans as itt finally breaks, expsoinig the machinery underneath, bashing right into each other and a few moments later, the three drones are nothing but an amalgamation of circuits, wires, gears, and plain metal.

Rogue elements destroyed. Human life preserved.

Notice: unknown source of interference present. Unable to detect source of interference. Recommendation: no remotely controlled robotics should be sent within the facility until the interference is detected and disabled.

You watch through the robot’s camera feed as the humans are entirely confused by your presence and your actions.

Luckily, you watch as Apprentice walks over towards the gaping hole in the structure.

With a loud thud, he kicks the large ball of metal that was once three drones.

“I think we’ve found a way home boys !” He shouts out. “Get the charges ready. We’re blowing this place sky high and leaving !” He turns to regard you now. Even now, you cannot directly interface with the android.

It seems that however, the remaining humans had yet to spot you. Whilst the death and appearance of the drones will raise questions, you doubt anyone will really believe the stories besides rumours and happenstance.

Using the opportunity presenting itself, you quickly start to relocate the drones and robots just as the two Chimeras and the Leman Russ both break out of the facility and head into the wilds.

*A.A.3. Status report.*

*Sending recordings.*

You quickly begin looking through the recording…odd…there appear to be diseased humans, growths of flesh. But the collapse of the entire thing is the strangest of all, the randomness of it, as you had witnessed yourself. And here, first hand recording, you are unable to find anything of note.

Still, you had gotten in contact with Apprentice, yet the strange and massive interference, that is, well…unnerving, even for you. Could this be some new kind of weapon ? An advanced jamming system ? Perhaps a quirk of the location of the facility upon the planet, natural causes and such ? But the effect is so, precise, the moment your drones crossed into the facility is when you lost control. And almost immediately they started firing upon humans. Perhaps there is some value in their memory cores. The kick that Apprentice carried out did move one of the cores out of the facility.

>>5777005

Your ponderings are interrupted by another earthquake. Much bigger this time, much more violent. And clearly man made, as you watch a giant mushroom cloud rising high from the facility. You can only wonder at the sheer number of explosives stored in these precincts.
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It had taken another three or so days for the forces you had dispatched to return back to you, with all of them being placed in quarantine and in a separate shuttle next to your hull. Such unexpected aberrant behaviour cannot be allowed to spread.

Yet again however, the limitations and lack of resources mean that you are unable to truly explore the core of the drone without a proper laboratory with all the necessary safety procedures.

Besides that, the strange happenstances, symbols that cause unease, rampant mutations, mass psychosis. Two different locations, as reported by Warrior and Apprentice, they both seem to exhibit a similar outline and a general trend, but differences in minutia are apparent, one disease that causes psychosis showcases haemophilia, the other a rather rampant wasting disease, the end result is similar, but the means of achieving it, different.
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It had taken about three months. But official diplomatic ties had been reestablished between Secundus and Prime. Whilst manpower is still the most pressing concern for Secundus, sufficient munitions, and quite simply food, had become valued enough to ease the tension. Ores are given to Prime to make weapons and part of the made weapons is returned back to Secundus. This had led to perhaps an unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances. The restart of the crude and brutal mining operations upon the world, the still contained prisoners now being forced to once again break their backs using the most primitive of tools. Despite your disdain for such things, the warming of relations seems to have calmed both sides down, with Scribe especially rising to a favoured position within governess Ture’s court.

Meanwhile, it seems that Warrior had earned enough respect and prestige to be able to offer his voice in an advisory manner in the highest importance meetings of the arbites. Most importantly, the advice is actually listened to. As for Master, it had become common for him to have conversations with Justicator over drinks and snacks, lending his voice to any and all meetings. By now, most of the lower hive is aware of Master and his teachings of restraint, calmness, and level-headedness. With this, Master has achieved incredible influence with the common man of the hive.

On the other end, Apprentice, alongside the remainder of his men had earned a spot of importance within Breaker’s gang. Their armored column, alongside their more ragtag creations had seen them become the one and only rapid response force of any faction, but the arbites. As such, Apprentice is scheduled for meeting with Breaker in the coming days. Not to mention, the already considerable reputation and influence Apprentice possesses.

>>5777006

“Hey, Odysseus.” Sergeant Vinurus says. “The graduation ceremony is ready for the newest regiment, will you attend ?”

”I shall observe, but attendance is not something that I believe I should do. After all, my existence would still cause disturbance for some.”

“Ah well, gotta get going in that case, the Lt. will soon start the ceremony.”

With the sergeant walking off, you quickly flicker through the security feed and look within the main cargohold. It is the largest area aboard the ship, barely capable of also fitting into it a thousand men in parade formation.

And what a sight it is, for most common everyday person within the Imperium. Resplendent white armour, sharp, angular shapes meant to deflect shrapnel and any potential explosives, the backpacks hum with energy as the armour itself lets out a slight blueish glow, pulsating with power providing calm and assurance to whomever wears it. The helmets themselves resemble those angular ones of an ancient medieval knight, just perhaps missing a feather or two to complete the image. And atop of that, their visors glow a slight green as telemetry readings are constantly looking around the surroundings, providing unprecedented amount of information for the average human mind. As well as providing information upon the identities of the various soldiers around them. Then the gleaming grey volkites held by the butt of the rifles resting against their shoulders gives them a feeling of discipline and order. Perfectly uniform, standing at attention in perfect neat lines, the brand-new Odyssey Defence Detachment or O.D.D. does bring you a hint of pride, but at the same time, you cannot help but feel this strange desire to further improve upon the detachment. Better weapons, better armour, better genetics. Perhaps in time, once the enlightenment of everyone gathered there is assured.

“Men !” Lieutenant Drogode begins standing a top of one of the shuttles. “Today’s the day where I can proudly call you soldiers ! Though I may not lead you, and I may not call you guardsmen. I can still call you brothers ! We had trained you in everything we know ! We trained you to fight ! To spill guts ! And to ask for more ! If the enemy would dare to stand before you, what would you do ?!”

“We’d fight !” The thousand gathered respond in a chorus.

“If the enemy would dare to harm man, what would you do ?!”

“We’d kill !”

“If some foul xeno, traitor or a heretic would threaten the legacy of man, what would you do ?!”

“We’d purge !”

“What is your duty ? As guardians of men !?”

“To cleanse, purge, kill !”

“And why do you do that ?!”

“To protect man !”

“Stavros Zanx, step forwards !”

Following the order, the would-be leader of the survivors of Eregenus Quintus steps forward.

>>5777008

“It is with great honour, that I hereby announce you as the commanding officer of these forces. Whilst I cannot give upon you a proper commission, I can still greet you as a fellow officer.” And with that, the lieutenant gives a salute.

“Salute, officer !” One of the men, presumingly the CO of O.D.D., shouts out. And as one, the entire formation delivers a salute.

You do note an increase in the heartrate of Stavros as he finishes his salute.

Turning your attention back towards the system as a whole, you regard the overall improving situation within the system. Whilst the well-being of the numerous peoples of the system is still far, far below any acceptable standard, but at least the political situation had become far more stable across the system.

There are still a few months left in the energy gathering time. Due to some good fortune of being able to be on low power with your reactor working a bit better than you had expected, you presume it would only at best take perhaps six or so months till you are able to leave the system.

>With the most important players in the game now being able to be influenced by you, you can start to wholly subvert the system. Introduce more stories of the ghostship, strengthen local relations, try to increase living standards best as able by simply employing efficient administrative efforts.

>Sit still and let the good times roll. You will soon be able to leave the system and everything seems to be progressing smoothly enough on its own, no need to rock the so-called boat.

>Perhaps a more direct intervention is needed ? With your O.D.D. now prepared and functional, even if it pains you to send them to danger, they are the best alternative until you can deal with the unknown source of interference.

>(Write in)

Last thread:

https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5737533/

welcome back Newb !
leaving the pastebins here before voting
https://pastebin.com/ekE6gtiS
https://pastebin.com/YgiHnhBr

>>5777106

Since I never did it in the last thread, just want to say thank you, anon. These pastebins are really well done.

>>5777109
Thanks newb, "might has well do something while playing the quest" i thought when doing them. Beside i just have to add info time to time so is not really a big problem.

>>5777010
>With the most important players in the game now being able to be influenced by you, you can start to wholly subvert the system. Introduce more stories of the ghostship, strengthen local relations, try to increase living standards best as able by simply employing efficient administrative efforts.
very good all pieces are on the table. A laboratory seems something we need to get very soon. Preferably when the Odyssey is a bit bigger. No cramped laboratory. Hopefully we have stop what that Undying fellow was doing, we had a good result against the Blood Brethren in the 8 precinct if nothing else.
And i think we can do something for cut a small part of boredom aboard the Odyssey.

>Write in
We will craft a small news program for update the humans inside us with sanitized news about the Galaxy, Imperium, Sector Clarus, Xandirah and Eregenus. It will be called the Official Odyssey Mankind News or just O.O.M.N. for short. It will also provide some educational and entertainment programs. A few pieces will be dedicated on the topics of orks and eldar, in case anyone want to knows more about this xenos and how to act in case of battle (auto locked on eldar for anyone with PTSD of them, so the 200.000 recovered from the slave ships).

>>5777010
>With the most important players in the game now being able to be influenced by you, you can start to wholly subvert the system. Introduce more stories of the ghostship, strengthen local relations, try to increase living standards best as able by simply employing efficient administrative efforts.
Cool, you're back.

>>5777010
>With the most important players in the game now being able to be influenced by you, you can start to wholly subvert the system. Introduce more stories of the ghostship, strengthen local relations, try to increase living standards best as able by simply employing efficient administrative efforts.

>inb4 we stumble on genestealers
Welcome back Newb! Always a pleasure to read your quests.

>With the most important players in the game now being able to be influenced by you, you can start to wholly subvert the system. Introduce more stories of the ghostship, strengthen local relations, try to increase living standards best as able by simply employing efficient administrative efforts.

Oooh, nice to see this back

>>5777010
>With the most important players in the game now being able to be influenced by you, you can start to wholly subvert the system. Introduce more stories of the ghostship, strengthen local relations, try to increase living standards best as able by simply employing efficient administrative efforts.

>(Write in)
Insert more agents, this time working in pairs or small teams and cells. Mainly sleeper ones for now and integrate slowly into society and can become "known/active" when the situation demands it, while influencing the lower end of society covertly.

>>5777010
>With the most important players in the game now being able to be influenced by you, you can start to wholly subvert the system. Introduce more stories of the ghostship, strengthen local relations, try to increase living standards best as able by simply employing efficient administrative efforts.

+ create a laboratory which is seperate to our ship and which can be easily jettisoned. We need to investigate this odd pestilence - lest it proves to be a virulent new plague

>>5777010
>With the most important players in the game now being able to be influenced by you, you can start to wholly subvert the system. Introduce more stories of the ghostship, strengthen local relations, try to increase living standards best as able by simply employing efficient administrative efforts.

>>5777910
I think we should have a secret moon base or put it in an asteroid. Less obvious and detectable, and if all else fails we can fling it into the nearest star.

>>5777010

>With the most important players in the game now being able to be influenced by you, you can start to wholly subvert the system. Introduce more stories of the ghostship, strengthen local relations, try to increase living standards best as able by simply employing efficient administrative efforts.

Sooner the better, and welcome back, QM!

>>5777010
Welcome back newb I missed ya!
>With the most important players in the game now being able to be influenced by you, you can start to wholly subvert the system. Introduce more stories of the ghostship, strengthen local relations, try to increase living standards best as able by simply employing efficient administrative efforts.

>With the most important players in the game now being able to be influenced by you, you can start to wholly subvert the system. Introduce more stories of the ghostship, strengthen local relations, try to increase living standards best as able by simply employing efficient administrative efforts.

>>5777077
QM do we have a map of nearby solar systems with detailed information about them? This is a major imperial system since it is a hive world so I wager that information would have been obtained passively in the background since you said in a past thread that the AI has access to basic in setting information from probing data networks.

>>5778315
If you look at the first pastebin posted by >>5777106 you can see we know about 4 systems currently and that the Clarus Sector is somewhere in Ultima in between Terra and the Ghoul Stars

You send out the orders to your androids to further warm relations and improve the over all situation of all humans within system and pass six months simply observing communications.

Firstly, Scribe is now in contact with Master, through the usage of intermediaries, local management, sympathizers, lesser officers, and many others. For once, in a very long time no doubt, the average everyday man is able to talk to and express his grievances to his betters. Slight concessions by the managerial class, negated by superior administrative practices that they just so happen to have found, had resulted in both the workers and the nobles being satisfied in the state of affairs. The nobles no longer have to fear reports of potential uprisings, especially when the fears of an orkish invasion still grip their hearts. As for the workers, more breaks, increase in rations, more logical work schedule, these simple things had done wonders to appease those whom had never seen anything even close to humane treatment.

Secondly, once again Scribe is doing wonders, now in communications with Warrior. Prime had opened the floodgates for official arbites recruitment, whilst they are not dispatching their own soldiery, they are willing to foot the bill for the recruitment and transportation process. In exchange, more and more of the various ore stockpiles are being cleared to be sent off world.

And that only leaves Apprentice…

-
(POV shift: You are a human federation android codename: Apprentice. About six months ago.)

The smoke of your lho-stick lazily rises towards the ceiling as you take a quick glance at the two cards before you on the table.

Eyeing your foes, you watch the miniscule muscles twitches of even the most steadfast of men. Whether they like it or not, whether they are trained or not to keep their faces stiff, there are always signs, signs that you can easily read.

“Call.” You state pushing a good dozen thrones to the middle of the table.

Everyone else at the table calls as well, and when you reveal your cards, as well as the smug grin, you are greeted by a series of groans as you wipe the table clean.

Just as you are abou to celebrate, the door behind you opens.

“Bellerophon, boss wants to see you.” Emil calls out stepping in.

“On it.” You respond with a grunt. “Well gents, I would have offered another round, but duty calls.” You say with a laugh as your fellow glare daggers at you.

“You sure it’s good idea to provoke them so ?” Emil asks as you both step out of the room.

“A bunch of cowards and opportunists that lot. They’d stab either way, so I might as well have some fun.”

“Right…”

“Anyway, finally meeting Breaker. Where’s the bastard been ?”

“Some expedition or another, hush hush all about.”

“Well, can’t wait to finally see him.” You respond with a final shrug.
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>>5778343

Entering an office room, once held by the highest ranking arbites of the facility, you find a man puffing on a lho-stub, feet on the table next to a clear bottle of amasec and a full glass. Reading what appears to be a rather large piece of parchment. The man’s overall look does surprise you slightly, due to a simple fact that he is clearly in his fifties, but still has a decent amount of musculature. A growing grey-black beard and a clean-shaven head, a tough and almost snarling looking face with a nose set in the middle that had been broken a multitude of times. The sharp brown eyes of his begin to stare at you as Breaker revels his sharklike smile, tough missing a few teeth.

“Bellerophon ?”

“One and only.”

He takes his feet of the table and puts down the piece of parchment, holding the lho-stub in his hand.

“Heard you and the boys had done well for yourselves while I was gone, good job, that sort of initiative is what I look for.”

“Proud to hear it.”

“You should be.” He puffs on the lho-stub. “Now, I bet you’re wondering why I had called for you.”

“Because of my stunning good looks ?”

“Even a grox wouldn’t feth you. Nah, it’s not that. I’ve drawn up some plans, and you, my dear boy, are going to be playing an instrumental part in it.”

“Sounds like it’d be a hell of a fight if I am and mine are needed.”

“Quite so. If you succeed, you will be drowning in thrones, women, booze, lhos, whatever you want.”

“And if I fail.”

“You’d die.”

“So, the usual then.”

“Not quite. They’d probably torture you before killing. Or turn you into a servitor.”

“And who can do that ?”

“The arbites.”

“We’re hitting the arbites ?!”

“We are. Got some folk willing to talk, and what they’ve been talking about is shit business for us. The reason why we broke out, was cause Prime shat its trousers out of fear of greenskins. Now, they are still shitting the breeches, but apparently, the arbites started talking with Prime again. And if those talks go well, they’ll bring down millions of more guards, and our first breaths of freedom will be beaten out of our lungs.”

“So, what’re we to do ?”

“I already had some talks with other gang bosses, those that we couldn’t beat down easily at least. They all agreed that we’ve gotta do something. So, we’re to have peace and deal with the lesser gangs first.”

“And after that we hit the arbites.”

“That we do.”

“And my job ?”

“Do what you do best. Be fast, hit hard. I will be personally giving you orders whom to hit and when. You and yours get to keep what you seize. Clear ?”

“Clear.”

“Good. You know how to read ?”

“I do.”

Breaker simply nods and passes onto you the piece of parchment.

“List of targets. Smaller gangs pushed out of the precincts that are still kicking about. Deal with them.”

>>5778344

“Will do, boss.” You respond turning about, looking at the list of names and locations.

“Emil, prep the guys. We’ve got some jobs to do.” You say having left the office.

-
(End of POV shift.)

…the information he had provided is disconcerting, the months of attempted unification had bore fruits, to the point where most of world is united in a rather unsteady confederacy of equals, only held together by hatred and fear of the arbites. And with the flowing of reinforcements and material secured from Prime due to your interference, the arbites had also noticed the movement and are preparing to weather the storm. But not only that, as there had also been an uptick of Chimera procurement from Prime. No doubt the arbites are planning a riposte action against the prisoners.

The only way to resolve this issue peacefully would be to pardon the prisoners. But even the more amicable Arbitrator in charge now would not accept that, none of the arbites would accept that.

As such, you are more or less left with only three choices:

Help the prisoners win and ensure that arbites and other personnel will be evacuated the moment things go south for them, minimizing losses as best you are able to, with this the prisoners will be in control of Secundus. Though there is precedent of such things occurring and the Imperium tolerating it as long as tithe payments are met.

The arbites are preparing to reassert authority. With a bit of help, you can ensure that they succeed and the world as a whole is brought back in line. Whilst imprisoning so many millions is harsh, the arbites follow the law, they will restore order, and so far you had only noticed the strange phenomena from the prison population, no doubt the arbites would root it out best they are able to.

Finally, the one you are the most hesitant about. Ensure status quo. It will be the most human life costly solution, but perhaps learning that neither side is capable of victory could bring both sides to the negotiations table ?

Of course, there are other options, but said options would be overt and would most certainly reveal whom you are.

>Assist the prisoners in their victory.

>Help the arbites restore order.

>Ensure a status quo.

>(Write in)

As for yourself, the energy stores had finally sufficiently recovered for you to depart from the system if you choose to do so. You could leave behind a small force alongside the system wide defences you had already prepared to assist your androids if you choose so, or you could recover everything and simply leave, having hopefully made this system a slightly better place.

If this option wins, no other options will be taken.
>You’ve invested too much into the system, you shall stay, for the time being.

>Time has come to depart. But leave the androids and some forces to assist them behind.

>Time has come to depart. But leave the androids and nothing else.

>Time has come to depart. Retrieve everything you can.

>>5778345

And if you do choose to depart, a few places are of note, based on your own records as well as those of the Imperium.

>The neutron star. Records indicate that it is an unnamed system, it seems that the Imperium had not settled it due to the excessive harshness of the system due to their primitive technology.

>Move towards the Federation outpost. As you had thought, the area had been developing for the past 18 millennia and the world is now known as Holdros, a hive world.

>Records indicate that slightly northwards is not officially Imperium’s territory. A collection of systems there seem to belong to a minor xenos species known as Straskenors.

>Whilst dangerous, you could move into the capital system of sector Clarus – Chordet. No doubt heavily defended and monitored, but you might be able to sneak in.

>Of course, with ready access to the Imperium’s logs and your exceptional movement system, you could go to any other system within the sector you desire to within the sector. (Write in) THIS IS UP TO QM DISCRETION.

>>5778315

>QM do we have a map of nearby solar systems with detailed information about them? This is a major imperial system since it is a hive world so I wager that information would have been obtained passively in the background since you said in a past thread that the AI has access to basic in setting information from probing data networks.

Yea, you do have a basic map, if you guys decide to stay within sector and set up shop there I will make a detailed map of it. Since you are currently not limited where you go, you can move anywhere within the galaxy more or less, which is why I am holding off on making a full blown map.

>>5778345
>Help the arbites restore order.
This will help the most in the long-run. We'll need a strong law-arm to keep things under control, and we can always Order-66 them if needed.

>You’ve invested too much into the system, you shall stay, for the time being.
I think we should stay until the system is fully under our control. We also need to discover the source of that strange phenomena we've been experiencing, as that seems like it might be a serious threat if it gets loose.

>>5778347
>Assist the prisoners in their victory.
>Time has come to depart. But leave the androids and some forces to assist them behind.
>Records indicate that slightly northwards is not officially Imperium’s territory. A collection of systems there seem to belong to a minor xenos species known as Straskenors.

This should leave the system well of enougth to fend of the orks and we will have room to start our breakaway civilisation.

>>5778345

>Help the arbites restore order.


>Time has come to depart. Retrieve everything you can.


>Move towards the Federation outpost. As you had thought, the area had been developing for the past 18 millennia and the world is now known as Holdros, a hive world.

>>5778345
>>Ensure a status quo
>You’ve invested too much into the system, you shall stay, for the time being.
Idk i dislike the idea of more prisoners working to death or being killed/executed. I think Xandrirah is almost ours

>>5778345
>(Write in)
give the arbites more tools to pacify the population. but while doing so, dismantle the prisoners power structure from the inside and make them commit to infighting. make it so that the rebellion is so weak it cant actually resist when the arbites come in to change the current status quo.

>Time has come to depart. But leave the androids and some forces to assist them behind.

>The neutron star. Records indicate that it is an unnamed system, it seems that the Imperium had not settled it due to the excessive harshness of the system due to their primitive technology.

i want us to move out towards the neutron star, specifically because i feel like we currently are very unprotected and very much not able to stage any long term plan right now. and since this is a solar system is probably uninhabited by basically anyone currently, we should be able to settle it with the tech we currently have. giving the people we currently have on board the hab-blocks a new home which would be far away from the prying eyes of anyone. and will allow us to just claim the inhabitants were a lost colony if anyone finds it.

also, i am dangerously sure, that if anything. that would be the perfect place to find old federation artifacts, since it would probably remain untouched from most other species hands.

>>5778345
>(Write in)
Take over the system through our proxies.

>Time has come to depart. But leave the androids and some forces to assist them behind.
If we just up and leave, then all the time and effort spent here would have been wasted and for nothing meaningful.

>Move towards the Federation outpost. As you had thought, the area had been developing for the past 18 millennia and the world is now known as Holdros, a hive world.
Time to figure out wtf is going on, we might just meet some other friendly/crazy AIs.

>>5777002
>We went with turning them.from the Emepror's Light.
That will very likely come back to bite us in the ass once we fully exposed to what Chaos actually is. I thought that was why we picked CONTEMPT several times last thread. Oh well.

As for >>5778345
>Help the arbites restore order.
It is honestly the best solution. These guys are criminals or Chaos worshippers. We need to keep them.from wrecking everything.
>You’ve invested too much into the system, you shall stay, for the time being.
We havent stabilized things here yet. Once we do we can leave.

>>5778519
To see. No contempt wasn't for that decision.

The criminal system of the imperium is laughable, and very unfair. Arbites arrest, fine and execute on the spot for any kind of crimes both the average imperial citizens and hyper violent gangers. The other two are isolated cases in precincts were extreme situation were likely reached (Precinct seventy-seven show us that). Helped by the structure and laws of the imperium creating perfect ground for chaos to use thanks to spreading, maintaining and increasing misery, suffering and overall negativity.

>>5778557
The thing is we dont know what Chaos is. We dont even believe in an afterlife. The sad fact is, Emperor worship is humanities natural innoculation to the Horrors of the Warp. By trying to restore the atheism of the Federation day or the "Imperial Truth" era, all we are doing is sowing fertile soil for Chaos to spread in. The Imperium would have been annihilated long ago if the universe wasnt actually trying its damnest best to kill them at every second of every day. I know its OOC knowledge but when we do get exposed to Chaos and have to confront the fact the souls and the afterlife exist and they are pure fucking evil, im not so sure we dont get corrupted ourselves.

>>5778345
>Assist the prisoners in their victory.
>Time has come to depart. But leave the androids and some forces to assist them behind.
>Move towards the Federation outpost. As you had thought, the area had been developing for the past 18 millennia and the world is now known as Holdros, a hive world.

>>5778345
>Help the arbites restore order.

>You’ve invested too much into the system, you shall stay, for the time being.

SECUNDUS WAR:
Arbites 5

Prisoners 2

Status quo 1

Take over 1

DEPARTURE RESOURCES:
leave everything 4

take everything 1

LOCATION:
Stay 4

Xenos 1

Outpost 3

Neutron 1

TOTAL 9

Alright, it is a clear victory for the arbites. Departing has the over all victory by one vote, and out of them going to the outpost has the win. And when you depart you will leave your defences and forces in place to assist the androids in their efforts to subvert the system.

Due to the closeness of the vote when it comes to the departures, I will leave it up for the night as it is an important advancement in the story. But the Arbites winning and leaving resources if you depart is set in.

>>5778802
I vote to Stay, I feel like there's more to be done still.

>>5778802
I would prefer to stay, for a few reasons.
- Currently we have no knowledge beside imperial knowledge about current conflicts in Sector Clarus. Xandrirah might has well be a sitting target with Eldar raids and Orks fleet being around.
- Xandrirah is not fully out of being stabilized.
- Arbites will attempt to go on a kill spread. Both sides have nuclear weapons in the remaining precincts, this push can create more humans death. Arbites dont genuily care of prisoners conditions and will place them again in death working conditions (they are doing this already), avoiding that will take major effort.
- Breaker gang will be likely fully destroyed, alongside Apprentice men. Apprentice will need redeployment most likely. A true shame since they were being shaped in a good fighting force. Now they are out of the picture. Currently Apprentice infiltration position will not be needed anymore, this brings to us reviewing and judging what he did so far.
- We have no comms connection from solar system to solar system at the moment.
- Without knowing when enemies may attack, the essential extermination and new enslavement of the prisoners will make Secundus an easier target.
- Xandrirah should avoid preferably a new extermination, enslavement, abuse and more nuclear detonations on Secundus.

>>5778802
Voting to stay

>>5777910
This is me

Any luck with creating a lab?

Also, do our androids age conventionally?

>>5778992
Requires rare resources. Yes is an important decision with his own options when available.
And frankly i don't want to stick it, i want space for it. A lab is an important place not imperium standard. The jettison measure is not really needed. There is an infinite amount of methods for deal with things, that don't require shoot an expensive part out in the void.
I don't think so, the biological part can be modified, changed and used. It was but done in their creation, and they also did it on their own during their infiltration missions. They can simulate it probably.

>>5779021
*it was done

>>5778802

I add my vote to stay. We're just not done here. Plus another anon had the right of it about keeping the Arbites from going overboard.

>>5778802
Can we at least reign in the arbites a bit so they are a little less murdery and brutal? I'd change my vote but it wouldn't matter.

>>5778841
>>5778942
Aren't we going to return to after checking out the other system?

>>5779133
Yes I agree with the arbities goings pedal to the metal after, but there is no nuance vote in what feels rather black or white winner takes all choice we had.

Suppose we can do things in such a way as to influence the terms of the ceasefire, peace negotiation, and reintegration.
Add in terms such as no mass executions, purges, or incarcerations, and added oversight to keep things in check.
Perhaps we can add in organized local militia and police forces to handle the more in person everyday interacts while the more serious stuff gets handed to the arbites, like high profile murders, chaos and cultist activity, heresies, etc.

>>5778802
I feel like theres still some opportunities here.
>I vote to stay

>>5779268
I am not sure what other anons wants to do or have in mind. Neither how they think about the quest (I have some suspicions based on what they say, like that anon imperial vacuum cleaner that suggested we essentially killed ourselves and handed over all the toys for the imperium to play and choke themselves with in the 1 thread. Something i really don't like) and if they have read all of the first thread or if they read the pastebins. If they have plans, ideas to suggest or add. No clue.
For example, the ex federation outpost now is an hiveworld. For going out it has the majority of votes. Holdros means we have other problems to solve and people to help likely. Which is something Odysseus will want to do, like 100%.
The Straskenors could be hostile toward the imperium. So that means an engagement even if we can just go on stealth, observe and then attack when we want. It brings issues on what to do later. Kill all the ones in their world ? Xenos lives for Odysseus matter less than dirt in comparison to humans, but we know nothing about this guys (We aren't doing immediate multiple wormhole jumps on all their systems if we go there, and I am going to get on that argument next).
The neutron star system is instead rich in rare resources. Rare resources are needed for things like fully rebuilding properly the stellar generator (and other important parts, alongside making new important ones, like a lab), the stellar generator has a star inside that produces insane amount of energy. Currently its not fully functional, but if it is, the recharge for wormhole jumps becomes far shorter and the recharge for the Odyssey energy shields becomes also far shorter.

Personally i don't mind returning here in Xandrirah of course. Or returning even to Eregenus (its nothing but orks bands land locked on the moons and planets. Meaning space resources can be taken easily and the orks easily destroyed.) Currently it has a lot of resources and no humans, but for colonization they are genuily ugly choices (thats one reason we have grab the people of Eregenus Quintus with us). They require minum a full terraformation, and more stuff on top of that.
My main concern is ensuring that in Xandrirah things go well and that we meet the objectives, we have place for ourselves here (no human wars, ending
the misery, gaining loyal contacts and support etc......).

>>5779610
I only want to pop by the hive/ex-federation world just so we can finally become aware and accept the situation with ourselves and what happened to the federation, and hopefully find a "friendly" AI before we leave.

I don't care for the ork infested systems besides sterilizing them and strip mining anything of worth from the system.

As for the neutron star, that feels like a long project and sounds like it would probably somehow be a headache rather than a cake walk, but I agree we need the resources and to fix ourselves up fully sooner or later. I just don't think it would be that easy and expect some BS like Eldar or Necrons happen to be there.

I guess we can depart for the Neutron star system first, then stop by Xandrirah? Before doing a pit stop at the ex-federation world.

Your processors continue to work overtime as you consider your options when it comes to your departure. Eventually however, you decide against leaving the system, at least not yet, there are still many things left for you to observe and change.

Instead, you redirect your attention to the conflict upon Secundus. The prisoners, whilst oppressed and exploited, it cannot be denied that they are unruly and prone to deviant behaviour. As such, the decision is obvious. Have Warrior direct the battle for the arbites, at this point and time the mercenaries under employ of the arbites have been completely consumed by the Freedom Ravens, as such the limited number of arbites means that whether they like it or not, Warrior has almost complete control over their combat maneuverers. You send down a series of orders down to Warrior, concentrating on rapid mobility and encirclement, hopefully being encircled would lower prisoner’s morale to the point where they would surrender. With collapse of tunnels and other potential damage, the overall fighting down below would be limited, the exceptional defensive positions of the arbites would make any attack there a suicide, but you have no doubt that certain groups of prisoners will try the attempt. Nothing can be done about those who will perish there besides blowing the tunnels apart, but that would make the arbites into enemies as well.

As for the prisoners, Apprentice can easily cooperate with Warrior for the mobile warfare part. Since apprentice controls most of the mobile assets of the prisoners, his direct interference means that the blitzkrieg tactics that shall be employed will be successful as the prisoners will lack any rapid response elements able to stem the tide. All that matters now is the initial breakthrough and for the arbites to hold off the first and most intense wave of the attackers.

-
(POV shift: You are a human federation android codename: Warrior.)

“Incoming !” Tared shouts out jumping behind cover as mortar fire rains down upon you. This is the second time the prisoners had been firing their mortars and it is still sporadic and inaccurate, indicating a lack of training and a lack of sufficient resources.

The trenchline you are currently sitting in rocks for a moment as the shells land around it, occasionally, sounds of pain can be heard as a shell lands in the trench and spreads shrapnel in the small section of the zigzagging trench.

“They are coming for it again, mount the stubbers, haze them down !” You order as you hear shouts ring out from further away.

The heavy stubbers ring out in a frequent boom, the bullets unleashed by them flying ahead and hosing down the entirety of the line before them.

You watch as another failed attempt is cut down.

*They are planning a raid to your southernmost flank.* Apprentice informs you in your mind.

*Understood.*

“Tared, grab some men and head south.”

“Why ?”

>>5779900

“I don’t like it. They keep throwing men like a bunch of fools, but they broke free easily once they found a chance. Idiots cannot break free even if they find an opportunity. No. They are planning something. If nothing happens in the south, come back to me then.”

“Will do.”

*How is the prisoner morale looking ?* You question.

*Low. Everything they are attempting to do seems to continuously fail, and they cannot figure out why.*

*Are you being suspected ?*

*No, I am currently in the eyes of the prisoner leaders, as far as they know, there’s absolutely no way for me to contact anyone, so they wouldn’t suspect me, but paranoia is running rampant.*

*Good. Inform me when the alliance collapses and I shall mount the armoured assault.*

*I shall, my forces are placed close to the front, boozing since they haven’t seen combat in a few days, it should be easy for you to overwhelm them. I made sure to sabotage the vehicles as well, they will not move.*

*Understood.*

Your vox rings out.

“Boss, boss !” Tared almost screams your ear off. “You were right boss, sneaky buggers tried to get in without us noticing, dealing with them now !”

“Got it. Rout them, but do not chase, we have a good position.”

-
(POV shift: You are a human federation android codename: Apprentice. A couple of days later.)

You slowly hum to yourself as shouts and sounds of struggle ring out from the makeshift command centre of the prisoners. Breaker, alongside other more belligerent gang bosses had desired to stay, whilst others wanted to leave. As is so common amongst such peoples, the entire debate devolved into a brawl.

*And that should do it.* You think to yourself having planted the explosive. *Best start moving.* You stretch. “Sordid business this, no ?” You say with a chuckles to a couple of corpses, naturally the command centre had been guarded, but that was easy to solve for you.

You continue humming to yourself as you approach the barebones buggy. The engine protests, but eventually starts working. *And off we go !* You hit the pedal to the metal and your buggy roars off, just as an explosion rings out.

With this, the prisoners’ morale should be broken, and they should be leaderless.

*Warrior, come in.*

*I hear you.*

*Prisoners’ leadership is dead, you have your chance.*

*Roger that. I am mounting the offensive.*

*Good luck.*

*That is hardly needed in such circumstance.*

>>5779903

-
(End of POV shift.)

It had taken three months, a breakneck pace considering that an entire world was brought to heel, but the small population would be the best explanation. The arbites, as you had predicted, crushed the revolt. Thanks to the guidance of Warrior, the overall death rate had been low, though hundreds of thousands still perished, some fighting till the end, others taking their own lives to avoid a life of imprisonment. Still, the lives of millions had been spared. For now, the conditions of the prisoners are hardly acceptable, but at least they are not being worked to death, not until enough of the infrastructure is restored.

In time, Secundus will be restored to proper function. And the unprecedented success had even seen the governess approve the dispatchment and return of one million men to assist the arbites to as quickly as possible restore the mining operations.

Meanwhile, Warrior had gotten famous across the entire system for his actions and capabilities. Perhaps another potential way to subvert the locals ?

Now however. You switch your camera to the medbay. There, Apprentice lay submerged in a tank full of nutrients. The android had proven capable, quite so, but the actions that the android takes had come at the cost of human lives, yet it could be argued that these actions had saved and spared the lives of many, many more.

>Reawaken Apprentice, you have a new task for him. (What ?)

>Recycle it. Use the parts for a new android and a new task. (Whom and what ?)

>Recycle it. You’d rather have the materials on hand for other tasks.

>(Write in)

For now however, you continue to watch the system, looking for more opportunities. The overall pressure is still high, but it is now being slowly let go thanks to the endless work of your androids. And said androids have a sufficient amount of influence for you to attempt something, something hopefully beneficial.

Can pick more than one.

>Start a coup on Secundus. Bring it under your control. There will be resistance, but someone mailable enough will soon be put in charge with Warrior acting as true power behind the position of Arbitrator.

>Start a coup on Prime. With naval assets and the people under control, the coup would be bloody in the current situation, but you will easily overwhelm the defenders, if you offer even the slightest bit of assistance. You do now have enough popular and administrative support to rule through the shadows.

If this option wins, no other options will be taken.
>Leave it be, you are content to slowly change the system.

>(Write in)

>>5779907
>>Reawaken Apprentice, you have a new task for him. (What ?)

Move him over to Prime to support the 2 already there to help with...


>Start a coup on Prime. With naval assets and the people under control, the coup would be bloody in the current situation, but you will easily overwhelm the defenders, if you offer even the slightest bit of assistance. You do now have enough popular and administrative support to rule through the shadows.

>>5779907
I feel anons forgot that the arbites are literal copy pastes of the evil mirror universe judges from dredd. The kafkaesque nature of the imperium's government and laws on every level make them that much worse as well. Rather funny how Ody hates Apprentice for making sausage despite only doing so because of outright orders.

>Reawaken Apprentice, you have a new task for him.
>Work on the restoration of Secundus and attempt reforming of how it operates so it is more then a slow and cruel form of execution.

I can't think of anything for the android to do right now but killing him is nonsensical and Ody has enough blood on his hands after dooming the inhabitants of Secundus.
Lets stabilize and reform Secundus as much as the atrocious Imperium will allow then fuck off to start a new human galactic civilization that isn't utterly and irreversibly broken.

>>5779907
are we going to just ignore what happened at the tunnels? we need to find out whatever it is down there, and make sure it can't give us problems down the line
>Reawaken Apprentice, you have a new task for him
send him to investigate with a few of our O.D.D. and support droids

>Leave it be, you are content to slowly change the system.

>>5779627
We are aware of that.

>>5779907
>Reawaken Apprentice, you have a new task for him. (What ?)
Prime, scouting and learning about the underhives of Xandrirah Prime. I want to know about how shitty they are. And if there is an unknown enemy there too.

Rip Emile, Breaker and the rest of the boys
Arbites have likely read the report of precinct 8. They hate heretic just has much has others imperials, they will find anyone else and kill them on their own.
This said giving a reminder to Warrior, for ensure that this unknown enemies are searched for would be good.

>Start a coup on Secundus. Bring it under your control. There will be resistance, but someone mailable enough will soon be put in charge with Warrior acting as true power behind the position of Arbitrator.

>>5779974
>>5779907
support.

>>5779907
>>5779974
Support.

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast - the last thing we need is to draw the attention of the Imperium. Insert reforms here and there that wouldn't decrease the productivity of the planets (or cause Chaos infestation to set in) while still improving living and working conditions would be a good start.

>>5779974
>>5779907

Supporting.

>>5779907
>>(Write in)
Debug, and deep scan him to make sure everything is on the level. Then stick him into storage or awaken and have him assist warrior.

>Start a coup on Secundus. Bring it under your control. There will be resistance, but someone mailable enough will soon be put in charge with Warrior acting as true power behind the position of Arbitrator.

>>5779974
>>5779907
>support
Can we start feeding ODD into the arbites? Send apprentice with them. Take them over from the inside?

>>5779907
>Reawaken Apprentice, you have a new task for him. (What ?)
Scan him. He was exposed to....somethign down there. We needto know what that something is.
>Leave it be, you are content to slowly change the system.
DO NOT GET THE INQUISITION OR MECHANICUM INVOLVED FOR THE LOVE OF THE EMPEROR!

>>5779907
>Reawaken Apprentice, you have a new task for him. (What ?)
Reconfigure facial features and reinsert to pair with warrior.
>Leave it be, you are content to slowly change the system.

>Write in
Start to slowly enlarge and reshape ourselves with the resources in system while staying hidden. We need to be bigger, better, and more capable.

>>5779907
Yo Newb, would it be possible to construct a space station to drop off our populous or to construct that laboratory we need? Id much prefer that to building on a planet.

>>5780454
>support

>>5780454
we can deal with either of those groups with ease should they come looking for us, without alerting the wider organizations mentioned too! Honestly now that I think about it having them show up might be good for us as we could subvert their agents through killing them and replacing them with infiltrators and gain a source of information within said organizations.

>>5780454
+1

>>5780454
+1

>>5780454
Scare tactic used for your vote. Low

We literally have been given a report from Apprentice and Warrior of what they did. We have probably scan his ass a billion times before even entering in the Odyssey

APPRENTICE

Reawaken 9
Rescan and awaken 4
Rescan and sleep 1

STUFF TO DO

Coup Prime 1

Coup Secundus 2

Restore Secundus and reform 5

Leave it all be 6

Total 14

Alright, reawakening Apprentice wins, as well as just making sure he is completely alright. Though no further tasks will be given to him, since the votes that won didn't specify anything. As for the system, keeping one's head low has won by one vote. But since you guys are in a position to do something, Warrior will be encouraged to increase the over all living conditions and well-being upon the world in such a way that wouldn't draw attention.

>>5780523

>Yo Newb, would it be possible to construct a space station to drop off our populous or to construct that laboratory we need? Id much prefer that to building on a planet.

You can build a basic spacestation by Odysseus' standards. When it comes to the lab, you lack the rare resources to make it anything better than what you already possess onboard the ship. The Odyssey was only ever intended to do basic geologic and biologic scans as it explores worlds fit for human colonization or terraformation.

You once again rerun the various scans you had conducted upon Apprentice, and yet, you cannot find anything no matter how many scans you run, the biological parts are entirely fine and operating within acceptable parameters, as for the personality matrix itself, it is functioning as you had expected. Still, the personality housed within seems to take human life too easily not considering alternative if it is the most expedient way towards achieving the mission. Efficient. Though against your directive. But efficient. At the end of the day, actions taken by Apprentice are far too useful and great for it to be disregarded.

Sending a signal, the buzzing drones about medbay start to open up the tube, draining the nutrient paste within it.

*Awaken.* You send the command.

Taking a deep breath and coughing, Apprentice awakens.

“Ah feth, that did not feel good.”

*We shall be commencing debriefing immediately.*

“For how long was I out ?”

*Irrelevant. Use internal communications for speed.* You feel a slight tinge of annoyance with the waste of time.

*Roger, roger.*

*Your sighting of a one-eyed hunched humanoid had not proven true. The recordings do not showcase such a creature within the given records.*

*I know what I saw.*

*Irrelevant, data incomplete. Perhaps damage in the matrix ? Hallucinations should not be possible. Matrix integrity at 100%. No damage detected.*

“Listen, I don’t know what to say. But I saw what I saw. There should still be some living folk down at Secundus that were with me in the precinct, we saw some fethed up groxshit right there and then.”

*Communicate through mind connection.*

Apprentice sighs. “My job’s to infiltrate, not to be a mind reader. If I keep thinking all the time instead of talking, I’d be like Warrior, and some folk find him weird.”

*Acceptable.* A moment of thought later you reply.

“So, what now ?”

*You shall be placed under observation; my subsystem shall also interview you about everything you had seen. Since you disagree with the recordings.*

“I do.”

*A chamber has been assigned.*

“Any lho sticks there ?”

*You are incapable of nicotine absorption.*

“Just like smoking.” Apprentice gets out of the pod and stretches as drones buzz about and quickly dress him up.
.
.
.
*Projected increase in survival rate at 20%* Warrior reports.

*What about nutritional balance ?*

*I was not able to address that. The arbites are hesitant to improve condition too much, they are meant to be punished, not live in luxury, as the prisoners are issued simple corpse-starch long lasting rations.*

Corpse-starch, the existence of such a creation, and the widespread need for it brings you disgust.

*And the rebuilding process ?*

>>5780944

*Slow. The deals made with Prime mean that much of the raw ore is being sent out rather than processed to be used for construction effort. It is further hampered by collapsed tunnels, destroyed precinct-fortresses, the massive radiation still upon the world’s surface.*

*And treatment conditions ?*

*Improving. I had convinced the arbites for proper housing of prisoners, if for no reason other than to prevent outbreak of diseases.*

*And populations itself ?*

*At least half of the known numbers are gone. Ah, one thing of note. I had looked through lex imperialis and found justifications and previous precedents for the establishment of penal legions. This should increase the treatment of at least some of the prisoners, decrease resource strain and increase the defensiveness of the world.*

*Acceptable. Continue the work as best you are able without drawing attention to your activities.*

*I had ensured that these ideas come from within the arbites. They are entirely untraceable to me.*

*Good. Continue to monitor progress and report to me whenever your secondary task of investigating the unknown symbols and what Apprentice encountered are completed.*

*Will do. I shall maintain the best methods of caution possible.*
.
.
.
Notice: warp signatures detected at the edge of the system. Preparing defences. Placiing them on high alert.

You quickly switch through your cameras of the still hidden mines and superiority craft. Once again, you watch what appears to be a sizeable fleet of three mass conveyers and what appears to be two cruisers, Lunar-Class as far as you can tell, six Dauntless-Class light cruisers and eight Sword-class frigates. An exceptionally sizeable force. This time you quickly start scanning the vessels, their mass and gravitic impact. So far everything appears to be in order, but you cannot help to be suspicious as this is an incredibly large force by Imperium’s standards.

As the ships finish their transition, their engines blare to life and they begin to aggressively burn forwards, with the sword class frigates spreading out in a sweeping pattern.

Soon enough, Scribe begins to send you a signal.

*A tithe fleet has arrived. Their identity has been confirmed through astropathic communication. I am awaiting governess commands.*

*Understood, continue to monitor the situation.*

With that confirmation, you order the defences to stand down. Attacking them now could end poorly.

*Orders have been received from the governess, all ships and stations are to be on full alert and prepared for combat.*

*Understood. Anything else ?*

*The governess is coming to the spacestation. She intends to rebuke the tithe fleet.*

*What are their demands ?*

*Records indicate that the tithe stands at the 17 million guardsmen. However, the size of the fleet can only pick up 1.5 million at the moment. The fleet is smaller than expected.*

>>5780945

*Understood…

>…do not interfere. Allow the situation develop as it will.*

>…try to assist the governess best you can to get rid off, or at least delay the fleet.*

>…convince the governess to back down. We cannot risk this world drawing attention.*

>(Write in)

>>5780947
>>…try to assist the governess best you can to get rid off, or at least delay the fleet.*

Whatever we do here let's make sure Scribe gets the credit and ghost ship rumors continue to float around.

>>5780523
Both populations (Eregenus Quintus and the ex slaves), we have recovered want to live on a world. I prefer to give them that, a space station is not the same thing really. Some could live there but their main desire is a genuine not shitty world.

>>5780947
Wait Emile and the boys are alive ?
I am pretty sure Breaker and main gangs leaders are all dead.

>…try to assist the governess best you can to get rid off, or at least delay the fleet.*
Perhaps weapons could be given. I still feel Xandrirah can't quite commit.


>Assign Apprentice to
Prime, scouting and learning about the underhives of Xandrirah Prime. We need to know about how shitty they are. And if there is an unknown enemy there too.

>>5780977

>Wait Emile and the boys are alive ?
>I am pretty sure Breaker and main gangs leaders are all dead.

Breaker got killed. Emil and the gang got overwhelmed when their tanks didn't work and surrendered.

>>5780974
As we were discussing penal legions earlier, it might be feasible to increase Primus's basic infantry equipment production and draw levies of convict manpower to meet the tithe from Secundus. We'd need time to make that work though, which is why I voted to act to delay or get rid of the current tithe fleet

>>5780947
>…do not interfere. Allow the situation develop as it will.*

>>5780979
Gotcha, glad they aren't dead. They are alright dudes with grit. And also faced an hateful foe and come out stronger.

//
Ok lets do something nice for Newb, throw me names for Odysseus robotic units. Anyone here should be able to see the pastebins, you don't need to give them for the ideas ones of course. If you still want do so.
I don't think the federation had a main theme for names, but we could go general human myhtology or anything appropriate. It sounds cool enough.

>>5780986
>>5780977
>>5780945
>support

Delay give them penal colonies in tithe. And within that have ODD sent with apprentice. So we can get more info about the imperium.

>>5780986
>>5781124

Secundus is Aptus Non in terms of tithe it has to pay. With the services of acting as a prison being important enough to warrant such privilege. Due to the ore extraction however, it is Primus that has to bear a harsher tithe requirement. One of the deals set up by the rogue trader dynasty.

>>5780995

>Ok lets do something nice for Newb, throw me names for Odysseus robotic units. Anyone here should be able to see the pastebins, you don't need to give them for the ideas ones of course. If you still want do so.
>I don't think the federation had a main theme for names, but we could go general human myhtology or anything appropriate. It sounds cool enough.

They have names. It's just Odysseus cannot be bothered with them, since their more clinical role designations are perfectly fine for him to refer to. But if you anons want to you can start thinking about names.

And yes, I am basing most of the names upon mythology.

Defensive drone = Hydra-class Mk. III. All purpose defensive drones. Intended for civilian and military use as a cheap choice to protect large locations meant to fight off unruly civilians with lowered output power, or lesser galactic threats with higher output power.

Defensive Robots = Nemean-Class. Purposefully built to be large and imposing, they are also a cheap means of ensuring compliance in unruly populations or dealing with criminals. Usually used in police forces for their intimidation factor and used within urban search and rescue institutions like the firefighters, their equipment reflects their utilitarian purposes.

>>5781165
Based

>>5781124
How we would go about sending the ODD down in the underhive ? I think it can be done but not all methods are stealth safe.
There are drop pods, we have light shuttles, we have the two eldar ships inside us and we could arrange with Scribe or Warrior an imperial transport none the wiser bringing them down on Xandrirah Prime. Then we can arrange through both Scribe and Master, transportation down in the underhive.
Apprentice would be doing a job of scouting the place and looking around, i imagine the idea is for him to find unknown enemies and the ODD to act has many many kill squads ? Or do you want to send them down has imperials (not looking like the ODD they are. They aren't meant for spying and infiltration though, they are soldiers. I guess they might be learning about multiple forms of warfare in those VR pods of theirs though. Still they aren't like Apprentice is what i mean) ?


Anyway, Harpy - Class for the Space Superiority Drones how does it sound ?

>>5781264
The arbites are recruiting on primus. We feed our ODD into that they rise in the ranks. We control it from the inside. With our own people. It'll take a bit. Which is why I want to add it onto our slow go method. Then we will have a much larger force that is ours and we can start updating all there gear to our standards.

Oh shit a new thread? Yes!

>>5780947
Supporting >>5780977

>>5780947
>…do not interfere. Allow the situation develop as it will.*

and this for apprentice
>>5780977

>>5780947

>support >>5780977

>>5780947
>…do not interfere. Allow the situation develop as it will.*
The tithe fleet is smaller than expected. This is a BAD sign. See how they react to being told to fuck off.
Apprentice is acting WAAAAAY out of spec. We cant even see whats causing it. Terrifiying.

>>5780947
>…do not interfere. Allow the situation develop as it will.*
I want to know why the tithe fleet is so small. Inquisition in hiding perhaps?

>>5781545
Or maybe the rest of the navy is busy fighting the Orks...

do not interfere 4

assist 5

Send Apprentice to the underhive 5

Total 9

Writing.

>>5781529
The opposite in all this updates and the additional action of even more scans, Apprentice is incredibly fine and going has usual both in specs and how he acts, the real issue is that Odysseus can't find what he and his band saw. Band that is fine and healthy by the way, everyone passed through this with grit and many months already passed.
Now that's the issue : Odysseus can't see that thing. Might have been too fast, or you know... something that he hasn't seen before.

Good thing I didn't vote.

…try to assist the governess best you can to get rid of, or at least delay the fleet.*

*I shall endeavour for the best results possible.* Scribe states before going silent.

Turning your attention back to Apprentice, you see him lazily laying down upon a small bed in the little chamber not meant for proper human inhabitation, the Apprentice simply continuous to humm to himself in the sterile room.

*New objective issued. You are to be inserted into Prime and investigate the underhives of the planet.*

“Cool. Anything specific ?”

*Ascertain living conditions, potential threats, priority to locate anomalies and dangers similar to the ones encountered upon Secundus.*

“Got it. When do insert ?”

*Immediately once a pod is prepared.*

Jumping off the bed, Apprentice stretches and begins to head towards the pods.

-
(POV shift: You are a human federation android codename: Scribe.)

The past days had been tense. You can feel the pressure in the air as everyone’s nervously preparing for the upcoming meeting. The numerous scribes alongside yourself had been tasked and worked near to death with looking through lex imperialis, a bit of help had come from Secundus for that matter, the arbites know their laws if nothing else, then of course the various administrative precedents, exemptions, exceptions, etc. I had been tiresome to say the absolute least, though for you, this had been your opportunity to shine and to truly showcase your abilities, even as limited as they are.

The gunnery crews had been drilling non-stop and the system defence boats had been put on high alert and had left the docks, spreading out in a defensive posture around the station. With the tithe fleet much smaller than expected, should things go off the deep end, the local defences actually stand a chance to fight. Though due to the arbites, without a doubt Secundus would once again become hostile to Prime.

“My lady, incoming vox from the lead ship.” A comms officer proclaims.

You turn to regard the governess, her face washed in the green glow of the numerous screens of the command bridge of the spacestation.

“What are they saying ?”

“They are demanding for our forces to stand down and for the tithe to be paid immediately in the name of the God-Emperor and Lord Clarus.”

“Atalanta.” The governess simply remarks and you step forwards towards the vox console.

Taking the set headphones from one of the men, you begin speaking through the vox. “This is Xandrirah command. The lady governess would like to meet the leader of the fleet.”

“There is no need for a meeting.” A hostile voice responds a few minutes of lag after. “You will either stand down or face the wrath of the Emperor for your insolence.”

>>5781848

“My lady would like to also express that due to the treaties of foundation signed by the progenitor of house Ture alongside the at the time Lord Clarus, a treatise that had been confirmed and approved even by a high lord of Terra. In the treaty, it was stated that whilst Xandrirah and any other worlds claimed in the Imperium’s name by house Ture shall be given the privilege of raising and maintaining large defensive forces to act as a shield for humanity. And this privilege shall not be infringed. As it currently stands, Xandrirah is at the edge of the sector, with worlds in the last few centuries lost to xenos incursions, Xandrirah is at the edge of the sector. Multiple tithes had also been raised draining the manpower of Xandrirah to an unprecedented degree. As such, it is my lady’s will to invoke these privileges in order to act as humanity’s shield the way that was intended for her house.”

You sit in tense silence as seconds stretch into minutes, then dozens, eventually an hour passess, then two. You can feel the nervousness of everyone present as the tithe fleet had spread out into battle positions. In response, the defenders continue pointing their weapons as they both continue to standoff.

“Fine. We are sending representatives.” You finally hear over the vox and the tension leaves everyone’s bodies.

“Prepare to meet them !” The governess commands and everyone in the room begins to move about.

It seems you had avoided a shooting war, for now at least. But you doubt your arguments, even if correct, would have worked had the fleet been much larger.

-
(End of POV shift.)

It appears that negotiations had actually begun successfully, with numerous old deals and treaties dug out from the archives. So far, no great danger is to befall the system.

As for Apprentice, he had successfully entered the underhive of Prime’s main hive, it was an easy task as you had expected, especially because he can be supported by your exploration drones and assisted in gathering information.

The picture you are able to create from the reports is not a pretty one. Rampant large-scale mutations due to inbreeding and the sheer toxicity of the environment. Lack of any and all infrastructure or any sort of authority besides that of gangs, cults, and madmen. Cannibalism is rampant, fights over scraps of industrial waste are treated like gold in the Earth of old and fought over viciously. It is degradation to an extent you had truly feared witnessing. Such degradation that even in the most primitive of eras, your masters wouldn’t and couldn’t comprehend the actions taken here.

>>5781849

Public burnings proclaiming the divinity of the God-Emperor, mixed in with gangs of cannibals skinning people alive and using said skin as means of marking their territory as they feast upon the flesh of their kin. Atrocities appear as nothing more than an everyday common occurrence, to such an extend those conditions on Secundus appear to be downright reasonable. A train of thought you had never expected to even entertain. And this is a treatment for people that are nominally citizens of the Imperium.
.
.
.
The fleet has now stayed within system for nearly an entire month. Scribe continuous to report an endless back and forth about one’s privileges only to be rebuked by one’s duties signed in another treaty. It appears to be an endless labyrinth of back and forths of legal mire that appears to have no end. You yet again wonder, how anything gets done in this Imperium. However, one thing had become apparent, the local forces of the Imperium within the sector are tied down facing numerous endless threats from all corners of the sector, this has strained the logistics and resources of the sector to a breaking point, the only reason why the governess’ refusal and legalisms are being tolerated is because there is a strong desire to avoid further wasting of any and all assets.

As it currently looks, the 1.5 million guardsmen will be transported off world with another 1.5 million in the following months. But nothing more at least in the short while as both sides will have to withdraw and find more legal excuses to call upon more men or to decline any more demands. A victory for the governess. Though one that leaves a bitter taste in everyone’s mouths as it is still 3 million best soldiers that the governess has now being moved out of her control.
.
.
.
Three more months have passed and the tithe fleet is departing with the guardsmen in tow. Whether or not the deals made hold once they return remains to be seen, if they can return with a large force that is.

Naturally, Scribe had been further honoured for her work and negotiations, being bestowed actual lands and titles by the governess, allowing her to now take a step into the world of nobility. Excellent progress all things considered. Though at the same time, the older nobility is treating her as an upstart. Most likely what the governess intended since Scribe’s position is only assured for as long as the governess favours her and remains in power.

>>5781850

Master and Warrior both had more or less retained their positions and held silence for all intents and purposes. Master had now become the middleman of all communications between the lower hive and the middle and upper hive, numerous bribe attempts had been rebuked by him as well. As for warrior, the Freedom Ravens are now officially and legally the only mercenary group upon Secundus with an exclusive contract to maintain order upon the world and assist arbites in their needs of defence. When it comes to the anomalies, precinct-fortress eight has been breached once again, and it turned out to be a sight of carnage and slaughter. With the presumed death of the mutated leader of the Blood Brethren, the entire precinct devolved even further, if that was even possible, and more or less slaughtered each other in hopes of gaining leadership, or at least you presume so. What maddened survivors remained were quite literally burnt out by the arbites as they reclaimed the fortress.

As for Apprentice. The cruel and unusual environment had suited him perfectly, though yet again, his tendency to ignore the value of human life completely had resulted in him exterminating minor gangs and peoples. Upon his own initiative, he had started building a power base to assist with the scouting objective. Again, you cannot argue with the results as numerous gangs, their affiliations, the local geography, society, religions (mostly offshoots of the belief in the God-Emperor) had been documented and reported.

One thing of import that the reports outlined however was the absolute lack of interest in the Imperium to actually govern the underhive, the very nature of the underhive means that keeping things hidden there is quite easy, isolationism from even the lower hive is common and even encouraged. The only time the underhive and the hive proper communicates is when raids are sent to cull the population. All this combined means that if you so desire, setting up an outpost would be rather easy.

>Set up an outpost, send down some forces (Which ? You can produce more machines.) and expand into the underhive, bring it under control right under the noses of the governess. You cannot allow for the savagery to continue, what can be saved, must be saved, what should be destroyed, must be destroyed.

>Set up an outpost, but use it strictly as means of humanitarian aid. Secretly deliver food, water, clothes, and other necessities across the underhive in small numbers so as to not draw attention.

>Set up an outpost, but use it strictly as means of humanitarian aid. Secretly deliver food, water, clothes, and other necessities across the underhive in massive numbers, so that no one would have to fight over the supplies.

>Leave it be. The risks are not worth it.

>(Write in)

This option can be taken at any time. Must reach a strong majority to go through.
>Depart the system (where ?)

>>5781851
>Set up an outpost, send down some forces (Which ? You can produce more machines.) and expand into the underhive, bring it under control right under the noses of the governess. You cannot allow for the savagery to continue, what can be saved, must be saved, what should be destroyed, must be destroyed.
Elements of the Odyssey Defence Detachment. With the support of some drones for recon, this is to be their first official mission. If they are discovered by local hive forces, we will say they are a mercenary company hired by scribe to bring order to the underhive.

>Set up an outpost, send down some forces (Which ? You can produce more machines.) and expand into the underhive, bring it under control right under the noses of the governess. You cannot allow for the savagery to continue, what can be saved, must be saved, what should be destroyed, must be destroyed

>>5781851
>Set up an outpost, send down some forces (Which ? You can produce more machines.) and expand into the underhive, bring it under control right under the noses of the governess. You cannot allow for the savagery to continue, what can be saved, must be saved, what should be destroyed, must be destroyed.
Good initiative on Apprentice. Orders and what we are sending :
- Apprentice, continue what he is doing now alongside main objective. In addition we want an area cleared up and checked (same for surroundings), here we will place an outpost preferably in secret.
- Master discuss with Justicator, and send an experienced group of rioters/workers down, they will meet up with Apprentice and work out a deal/collaboration.
- Odyssey Defence Detachment, we will send 500 men with Lieutenant Antonius Drogode, Sergeant Vinurus, the guardsmen platoon of the 105th Kodorn regiment and also Stavros Zanx. The other 500 men remain in orbit waiting and will be send down has reinforcements. For robotic units we are sending 500 Defense Drones Hydra-class, alongside 200 Defensive Robots Nemean-Class. A mix of Manufacturing Drones, Repair Drones and Medical Drones of a few hundreds will be also sent. The outpost will be for all purposes not findable for anyone but us.

- Scribe continue what she is currently doing, but she can reinvest the new wealth she has for gain more funds and doing improvements across Prime.
- Warrior continue what he is doing, increasing the ranks of the Freedom Ravens and improving the quality of their equipment and training could be also done slowly. He should be able to access certain monitors/computers of the Arbites now, he has a lot of influence.

>>5781851
>Set up an outpost, send down some forces (Which ? You can produce more machines.) and expand into the underhive, bring it under control right under the noses of the governess. You cannot allow for the savagery to continue, what can be saved, must be saved, what should be destroyed, must be destroyed.
>Some of ODD and Apprentice as the boss
>With more robots.

>>5781851
>>5781857
>support

>>5782147
Opposed the O.D.D. has a specific command structure, Apprentice job is to infiltrate and thats not why we are sending them down there for. We have insist on sending them down, with nebolous numbers but they have different missions to accomplish.
Don't mix them up.

>>5781857
>>5781851
>support
What I've wanted to the last 3 votes

>>5781851
>Set up an outpost, send down some forces (Which ? You can produce more machines.) and expand into the underhive, bring it under control right under the noses of the governess. You cannot allow for the savagery to continue, what can be saved, must be saved, what should be destroyed, must be destroyed.
>(Write in)
Have Apprentice create a gang/business that takes over territory and all the elicit business like drugs and human trafficking, etc. Then after gaining control of these trades, start phasing them out while starting up construction to rebuild and modify the lower hives in a not too obvious way to be cleaning and better.

We should reprimand Apprentice a bit, and tell him to try and give some of the humans hes going to kill a chance to redeem themselves, perhaps attach an "assistant" with him to help deal with those matters.

>>5781857
>>5781851

Supporting. This seems like the perfect mission for them to cut their teeth on, so to speak.

>>5781851
>Set up an outpost, send down some forces (Which ? You can produce more machines.) and expand into the underhive, bring it under control right under the noses of the governess. You cannot allow for the savagery to continue, what can be saved, must be saved, what should be destroyed, must be destroyed.
>Attempt to conceal and obfuscate our backing of the expedition as much as practically possible, the forces sent should ideally consist of sufficiently reliable lower hive mercenaries supplied with high grade imperial equipment as well as whatever underhive gangs that can be practically allied with, subverted, conquered, or bought. our ability to produce plausibly deniable equipment and supplies will be critical to winning over the populace in the areas we secure one way or another.

If we go down with the ODD and the super kill bots we will cause the cog boys to go rabid, they will notice, this planet absolutely has a good deal of them because it is a outright hive world and the mechanicus knows the best place to find archaeotech on a hiveworld is in the underhive and hive foundations.
Even if that doesn't occur the hive authorities proper will catch wind of this or just go down for the regular underhive purge and discover a army of daot soldiers conquered the entire place out of nowhere.

Why not send the Freedom Ravens or let Apprentice do his job, this genuily start to feels less than a good idea and more like a very excellent way for weaken and risk the death of O.D.D. well trained soldiers (especially with worthless imperium equipment and no robotic backing) if not capture.
Mind you they have yet to accept any augmentation, and this place is high toxicity.

>>5781857
Supporting this.
Also maybe have Apprentice “neutered” so to speak. If it’s possible to remotely reprogram part of him to “feel” the pain he’s inflicting upon humanity so he doesn’t continue to willy-nilly get people killed kill. That would go a long way in tempering his “violent streak” but still leave him able to do what is necessary. He’s doing good work and whatever punishment he gets shouldn’t involve his execution, nor should he operate like he is disposable.

>>5781857
+1

>>5782515
I kinda want to say a few things on this, because i have seen this argument a few times.
The reason Apprentice acts like this is probably for what personality was given by the anons deciding on their types in first thread. Which for him was firebrand, a personality change would likely be an incredible change for him and might remove memories. Or we just wipe them.
To add to his personality and bloody approach, both situations were we deployed him for infiltration, needed a cover type that was very believable. Which means, violence.
Adding pain i am not sure it would matter for punishment. The exploration drone assigned with him on Secundus, very much used pain against Apprentice now that i remember. Also might be counterproductive for leading, combat and tactics. Especially in the general high combat/high danger of an underhive.

Instead, what i am thinking now is assigning him a secondary objective that is pacific in nature and would put him in contact with the underhive humans in a more positive way. For example a clinic or workshop, were he works and teaches time to time.

The effects of pacific objectives can be easily seen with Master. Scribe and Warrior could also do them in a few ways.

>>5781851
>Set up an outpost, but use it strictly as means of humanitarian aid. Secretly deliver food, water, clothes, and other necessities across the underhive in small numbers so as to not draw attention.
>>5782604
I like for apprentice, having some mobile shop to socialize as he did with his old crew on secundus though this time working with the common folk as well as the troops he recruits for the scouting mission

actuary wondering if we can get his old crew off secundus to help with him in the underhive

Sorry folks, no update today as I have something to prepare for uni. Will return tomorrow.

>>5782833
A bit suspicious for them to be moved down there from Secundus to Prime.

>>5782980
Np

Even if it could be done, though it would leave them a bit too surprised. Suddenly finding Bellerophon in an underhive of Prime they suddenly find themselves in ? This said their experience could see them move up from being prisoners to say Freedom Ravens special recruitment candidates.

Anyway, i didn't think about it, but we had actually a golden opportunity for gain more info. The tithe ships could have been spied upon for the records and data they carried. A sabotage droid perhaps instead of infiltrator androids .
Still, this does also remind me that we could use Flori Ture connection with her rogue trader uncle for find his flagship, and if its near us spy upon it. A flagship of a rogue trader dynasty likely has large amounts of records, data and star maps.

A serious foothold upon the world, rather than endless obfuscation, could prove useful, as means of spreading civilization, helping those in need, and having a sufficiently powerful force able to respond in time.

Your decision is made.

>Recommendation: Prefab STH-O-9. Elaboration: Strong redouts, powerful energy shielded walls, inbuilt laser and plasma turrets automated to defend the walls, antimatter artillery pieces.

Excessive, but can be necessary. Defensive, authoritative. Strong foothold.

>Recommendation: Prefab HOS-O-11. Elaboration: Large-scale medical suites, long mess halls, automated treatment facilities, energy shield defence, laser turrets guarding the perimeter.

Able to assist humans. Rapid humanitarian support at a massive scale. Lacking in defences.

>Recommendation: Prefab SLC-O-5. Elaboration: Active cloaking field, sub-speed of sound projectile turrets, no charge, silent discharge, automated logistical operations and fabrication centres geared towards stealth operations.

On spot fabrication. Hidden. Ease of independent operations.

>(Write in) UP TO QM VETO

Your STCs roar to life as the order is given and the manufacturing drones begin to move, shovelling raw ores and fabricating parts of the outpost that shall be assembled on the spot.

With that in production, you send a new set of orders for Apprentice to find and locate a suitable location where the outpost could be hidden from sight. With radiation and poisoning not being of any concern, since what you plant to send down there is entirely immune to it, you have no doubt that something can be easily found.

And speaking of what you are sending:

Drones, specifically Shade-class investigation drones. Exclusive to military use, the overall standard of these drones is a tad higher than usual for the defensive drones you had usually employed. The energy shield is removed instead making space for a mobile stealth field powerful enough to engulf the small drone. To make up for the weakened defensive capabilities, the drones are equipped with a heavier duty armour, this means that the overall speed of the drone is reduced, the only other choice would be to increase the size of the drone, but it is expected that stealth field should be sufficient to keep the drone hidden, besides, this version of drones is also meant to be cheap and expendable, meaning there was never reason to give them a full round of upgrades. Naturally, as infiltrators, scouts, potential saboteurs, the drones also house a powerful comms system able to reach upwards to a few hundred kilometres, enough to coordinate a drone network and to still communicate with any forward elements. As for weaponry, sub sound of speed tungsten shells. Hardly the most destructive weapon ever made, but it is totally silent and it had always was meant as last means of resort or simply as means of deterring local wildlife.

>>5783972

Finally, the other choice. Humans require humans. And it just so happens O.D.D. is eager to prove itself. A simple rotation, half of the detachment, 500 men in total, 2 companies, 20 platoons. If the deployment extends for overly long, the other can be deployed and the first two companies returned back to the safety of your hull.

”Colonel Zanx.” Switching your attention, you contact the man.

“Oh, Odysseus, how can I help ?” You hear slight discomfort at being addressed at such a rank, especially because it is not one granted by the Imperium, but proper protocol must be observed.

”I had decided to set up an outpost within the underhive of Axiotrah upon Xandrirah Prime. I had deemed it necessary to involve you, as well, man knows man best.”

“Oh, will the lieutenant be coming along ?”

”He will not. This is your operation Colonel. I shall of course maintain contact with you and the outpost, so if there is a need for it, you can always contact the lieutenant.”

“Alright, what’s our objective ?”

”Subjugation and control of the underhive. You shall roll up down there with your fancy guns and armour and beat the groxshit out of anyone who stands in your way ! However, I must request caution, whilst the people there had descended to madness and savagery, they are still humans, this entire operation is being done to restore order, peace, and deliver upon the locals prosperity that you too experienced.”

“Please don’t do that again.” A moment of thought Zanx says, rubbing the back of his neck. “But, alright. I got the basics. When do we depart ?”

”Apologies. You are to depart whenever you are ready.”

“I will get the detachment ready.”
.
.
.
You cannot help but be concerned about this first deployment, as such you are more or less simultaneously observing the 500 men now being deployed. With utter silence, you watch as one of the pods, housing Stavros, rocks as it hits a bit of turbulence in the atmosphere. You can see as how the ten men in the pod remain quiet despite the rocking back and forth. You do note an increase in their heart rates, but other than that – silence.

The retro thrusters fire off and Gs impact the men for a moment as they begin to slow down and gently descend, lacking the genetic modifications, you cannot really allow them to simply slam upon the world’s surface.

Eventually, with rapid movement the pod finally impacts the surface.

“Go, go go !” Stavros, falling back on training and discipline, gives out the command as the pod doors open and the ten men quickly disembark, covering their sides and ensuring that there are no blind spots in their formation.

Clears ring out from everyone gathered.

>>5783974

“Form up, get the entire formation prepared to move. We will be inserting through the waste discharge tunnel.” Stavros quickly commands regarding the utterly polluted and toxic surroundings, a fog of interesting mixture of colours hanging above him and everyone else gathered. The wastes of a hive are quite ruinous for the environment you quickly note.

It takes another good hour or so, but eventually, the five hundred are all deployed and if you could wince, you would, as the perfect white armour is stained heavily with the muck of the hive.

Whilst this is happening, the infiltration drones buzz ahead, moving in a large formation of about one hundred, all that you had dedicated so far, deeper into the hive to ensure that there are no unexpected interlopers to threaten your efforts.

“The servitors are starting to bring up the cargo !” One of the men calls through the comm as the large carrier drones move crates as they slowly float upwards.

“How far till the target location ?” Stavros questions the man next to him.

“A good thirty kilometres, sir.”

“Right.” He nods slowly. “All rights gents, get ready to march ! You all have suit assisted movement, so I want no complaints !”

The force begins to move, looking at the stains, rust, literal tons of metal forgotten to have ever existed by the inhabitants of the world and an infinite artificial river which they are trudging through filled with a mixture of colours and an endless selection of deadly chemicals.

And as the group is moving, you are formulating a series of plans based on the data given to you by Apprentice and the scouting still being carried out by the exploration drones.

>Shock and awe will win the day. Apprentice has identified the largest and strongest groups. Crush them.

>The primary directive is to save human life. Mass aid programs should be extended to the population, anyone whom cannot be controlled should be beaten back. The population will willingly assist once they learn of the benefits.

>He who controls the logistics controls the world. Dedicate forces to safely collapsing the labyrinthian tunnels, limit movement avenues and control those that remain with an iron grip.

>(Write in)

This option can be taken at any time. Must reach a strong majority to go through.
>Depart the system (where ?)

>>5783975
> The primary directive is to save human life. Mass aid programs should be extended to the population, anyone whom cannot be controlled should be beaten back. The population will willingly assist once they learn of the benefits.

>>5783975
>Recommendation: Prefab SLC-O-5. Elaboration: Active cloaking field, sub-speed of sound projectile turrets, no charge, silent discharge, automated logistical operations and fabrication centres geared towards stealth operations.
>The primary directive is to save human life. Mass aid programs should be extended to the population, anyone whom cannot be controlled should be beaten back. The population will willingly assist once they learn of the benefits.

>>5783980
its two votes to do

>>5783975
>Recommendation: Prefab SLC-O-5. Elaboration: Active cloaking field, sub-speed of sound projectile turrets, no charge, silent discharge, automated logistical operations and fabrication centres geared towards stealth operations.
>The primary directive is to save human life. Mass aid programs should be extended to the population, anyone whom cannot be controlled should be beaten back. The population will willingly assist once they learn of the benefits.

Excellent, if we need further aid we can have Master move some help down. But it shouldn't be necessary

>>5783972
>>5783975

> Recommendation: Prefab SLC-O-5. Elaboration: Active cloaking field, sub-speed of sound projectile turrets, no charge, silent discharge, automated logistical operations and fabrication centres geared towards stealth operations.
> The primary directive is to save human life. Mass aid programs should be extended to the population, anyone whom cannot be controlled should be beaten back. The population will willingly assist once they learn of the benefits.

>>5783975
>Recommendation: Prefab HOS-O-11. Elaboration: Large-scale medical suites, long mess halls, automated treatment facilities, energy shield defence, laser turrets guarding the perimeter.
>The primary directive is to save human life. Mass aid programs should be extended to the population, anyone whom cannot be controlled should be beaten back. The population will willingly assist once they learn of the benefits.

I know everyone is going for the stealth prefab, but I'll toss my vote in for the humanitarian one, if only because it'll better be able to handle the directive we're voting for. I can understand why we need to be a little subtle, but it'd be harder to follow said humanitarian directive without the relevant facilities like the O-11's medical suites and auto treatment facilities.

>>5783972
>Recommendation: Prefab HOS-O-11. Elaboration: Large-scale medical suites, long mess halls, automated treatment facilities, energy shield defence, laser turrets guarding the perimeter.

Fuck stealth, let's make a difference.

>>5783975
>Shock and awe will win the day. Apprentice has identified the largest and strongest groups. Crush them.

Scourge the cancer.

>>5784261
I'd say the exact problem for O-11 is that it's too good for its job - a stealth outpost that gives out things like clean water and basic medication is one thing, but underhivers suddenly getting medical care that even mid-upper hivers don't have easy access to is just begging for the involvement of the Arbites... or the ≡][≡.

>>5783975
>Recommendation: Prefab SLC-O-5. Elaboration: Active cloaking field, sub-speed of sound projectile turrets, no charge, silent discharge, automated logistical operations and fabrication centres geared towards stealth operations.
Subtlety should always be a priority, we can add greater facilities once the settlement is properly established.
>The primary directive is to save human life. Mass aid programs should be extended to the population, anyone whom cannot be controlled should be beaten back. The population will willingly assist once they learn of the benefits
Start getting to know the people of this place.

>>5784261
Thats true.
May the best vote win really. Is not easy doing different multiple objectives. And what first and then second.
From saving people and ensuring basic needs, crush our enemies, finding them and so on. In addition to catalogate them, alongside the cultures present here, the infrastructure damage around, how many mountains of toxic waste are present etc...
Thankfully we can count on the fact that is very unlikely Xandirah Prime above cares of the one under. Rumors can be controlled and transformed, silenced even. And if you have infiltrators all across the chain from down to up, alongside an infiltrator being a direct advisor of the high arbites officers...rumors are what you make of them. Now everything can happen, but if you work to avoid it and have the measures for deal with it, you should be fine.
Stealth is mostly for the other kind of foe here, the ones we truly want dead (if they are here. They might not be. They might have shit the bed and flee). Still if the medical option is chosen, we can work on ensuring proper defenses are also placed later.

>>5783972
I like Shade for their name.
What kind of sidearms and nades do the O.D.D. have with them ? I already imagine what they use should be very powerful. Smart grenades/explosives are particulary useful.

>>5784261
>support

Don't forget about our old dude android. If we pump out humanitarian stuff. We can use our influence to incorporate them. Then we don't need the fancy defenses. We got ODD and the underhive gangs.

>>5783972
>Recommendation: Prefab HOS-O-11. Elaboration: Large-scale medical suites, long mess halls, automated treatment facilities, energy shield defence, laser turrets guarding the perimeter.
>>5783975
>The primary directive is to save human life. Mass aid programs should be extended to the population, anyone whom cannot be controlled should be beaten back. The population will willingly assist once they learn of the benefits.

>>5783975
>The primary directive is to save human life. Mass aid programs should be extended to the population, anyone whom cannot be controlled should be beaten back. The population will willingly assist once they learn of the benefits.

Do not resist, You are being saved.

>>5783975
>Recommendation: Prefab STH-O-9. Elaboration: Strong redouts, powerful energy shielded walls, inbuilt laser and plasma turrets automated to defend the walls, antimatter artillery pieces.

>The primary directive is to save human life. Mass aid programs should be extended to the population, anyone whom cannot be controlled should be beaten back. The population will willingly assist once they learn of the benefits.
it'll be hard to have civilians help if they don't know where we are.

>>5784481
changing to
>>Recommendation: Prefab HOS-O-11. Elaboration: Large-scale medical suites, long mess halls, automated treatment facilities, energy shield defence, laser turrets guarding the perimeter.

>>5784481
They do not need to know where we are, only where we want to be found.

I also agree with >>5784289, to aid is our directive but we must exercise caution in doing so.

>>5783975
>Recommendation: Prefab SLC-O-5. Elaboration: Active cloaking field, sub-speed of sound projectile turrets, no charge, silent discharge, automated logistical operations and fabrication centres geared towards stealth operations.
>The primary directive is to save human life. Mass aid programs should be extended to the population, anyone whom cannot be controlled should be beaten back. The population will willingly assist once they learn of the benefits.

Shock and awe aid baby

>>5783972
>Recommendation: Prefab HOS-O-11. Elaboration: Large-scale medical suites, long mess halls, automated treatment facilities, energy shield defence, laser turrets guarding the perimeter.
>Shock and awe will win the day. Apprentice has identified the largest and strongest groups. Crush them.
Kill the threats then send out aid to who needs it.

>>5783975
>Recommendation: Prefab SLC-O-5. Elaboration: Active cloaking field, sub-speed of sound projectile turrets, no charge, silent discharge, automated logistical operations and fabrication centres geared towards stealth operations.

>The primary directive is to save human life. Mass aid programs should be extended to the population, anyone whom cannot be controlled should be beaten back. The population will willingly assist once they learn of the benefits.

>>5783975
>Recommendation: Prefab SLC-O-5. Elaboration: Active cloaking field, sub-speed of sound projectile turrets, no charge, silent discharge, automated logistical operations and fabrication centres geared towards stealth operations.

>The primary directive is to save human life. Mass aid programs should be extended to the population, anyone whom cannot be controlled should be beaten back. The population will willingly assist once they learn of the benefits

>>5783972
>Prefab STH-O-9
>The primary directive is to save human life. Mass aid programs should be extended to the population, anyone whom cannot be controlled should be beaten back. The population will willingly assist once they learn of the benefits.

Stealth base 7

Med base 6

Mil base 1

Aid program 14

Shock and awe 2

total 16

Close vote for the base, but stealth wins out, barely. And mass aid program wins decisively.

Writing.

The expeditionary forces had reached the primary given location as identified by Apprentice. A runoff location for a chemical manufactorum, the entire area if filled with toxic fumes and deadly acids able to melt through lightly protected hazmat suits given enough time. If there’s a place to keep hidden, then this is it.

Transportation drones rush ahead, unloading crate after crate of cargo right next to the waterfall worth of acid raining downwards without stop. And as everything is in place, you watch as the men jump back slightly as from the crate emerge endless swarms of nanobots. Each and every crate having millions, if not billions of the bots each and every programmed for a different task and different construction need. And mass swarms of grey begin to coalesce in to massive blobs and shapes as the sand like substance and feel of the bots begins to solidify, clearer colours and construction blocks become apparent as walls, ceilings, turrets, windows all begin to take shape and in less than fifteen minutes, a base capable of housing more than 500 people is completed.

Then, with a slight shiver, the base’s power generators become active and the outpost as a whole begins to shift and change and soon enough, the base is gone. Were it not for the readouts installed within the helmets of the soldiers, showcasing a green outline of the outpost, they would never be able to see the outpost.

But with just a few steps, as Zanx moves, he breaches the stealth field and the outpost in its entirety is revealed.

Four simple blocky buildings make up the outpost, one for vehicle storage, that being the transportation drones, one, and by far the largest, to house the garrison in relative comfort, the second largest would be the manufacturing hub, and finally the smallest but most important with powerful comm system would be the command centre.

“Second company, secure the perimeter, make sure we have no surprises and settle in the base.”

“Sir, yes, sir.” A Captain calls out.

“First company, with me. We’re going to move fast and loud. The people here need our help, and we will give it !”
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.
.
Clambering over a rather large hill of literal trash, Zanx drops heavily on his stomach and through his helmet feed you watch as he zooms in closer to regard the small settlement, a quaint if depressing sight, smaller almost medieval village like societies and structures setting up underneath the literal kilometres of metal.

>>5784922

And just like the medieval times, this village is being raided. The populace seems to exhibit minor mutations and deviations from baseline humanity, common enough in the underhive, but not enough to sentence one to painful death as you watch people clad in dirty rags, white washed best they are able but still lacking in proper maintenance and care. Wielding burning braziers, rough made swords, axes, spears, using rusty and deformed looking autoweapons, stubweapons, and homemade pipeweaponry, a group of perhaps six or so hundred are busy building pyres and dragging out the inhabitants still kicking and screaming.

“Send a servitor ahead to listen in.” Stavros commands and one of the shades flies off.

“…you shall burn, for daring to desecrate His image ! The God-Emperor shall burn through the purity of fire all the sins that you had committed ! Embrace your fate, and pray, beg for forgiveness for He may give you judgement when you present yourself before His throne !” One of the men, long bearded and with cruel eyes shouts out. “These lands are the lands of the God-Emperor, we shall suffer not the heretic ! We shall not suffer the mutant ! Burn them all !”

As one of the warband moves the hanging brazier to alight the pyre as what appears to be a middle-aged man with what appears to be scale like skin covering his face.

“Fething mutants.” One of the men of O.D.D. calls out.

“They’re human.” Stavros quickly interjects. “We have the technology to heal these mutations. We’re supposed to protect humanity, you think kicking down doors and burning houses does that ?”

“No, sir.”

“Thought so. Everyone, prepare to deal with these madmen. Major, stay here with half of the men and set up a firing line. Everyone else, with me !”

Stavros jumps up and leaps down the hill, the servos and artificial muscles of the power armour groan as they absorb the impact of him heavily thudding onto the ground. Raising his volkite rifle, Stavros pulls the trigger and the chest of the nearest man explodes outward as blood is flash boiled and some even evaporates from the direct impact, organs collapse and combust in flames just as the man’s clothing is set alight.

Quickly switching target, Zanx pull the trigger yet again as the two companies fire off, those atop of the hill firing at the men furthest away, whilst those following their colonel annihilate the nearest foes.

Panicking, some of the enemies quickly grab the prisoners to use as meatshields as they open fire with their own weapons, the rounds unleashed simply bounce off the armour of your detachment, giving you a slight sense of satisfaction as only a few percentage points of the shield charge are lost with each impact, with the generator quickly rebuilding the lost energy.

>>5784924

“Grenades ! Needle mode !” Stavros orders taking out a small ball and throwing it high into the air, the grenade bursts apart letting out dozens of small smart needles, each and every burrowing deep into the skulls of those that were targeted by Stavros through his helmet.

“They have a vehicle !” One of the men shouts out as the rusty barely functioning machine with a heavy stubber upon it is being quickly set up to operate. But without even needing to give the command, the closest O.D.D. members take out their sidearms – plasma pistols. With hot plasma streaming right into the vehicle it quickly explodes in a tempest of flames and endless popping noise as unspent ammunition is discharged due to the intense heat.

“Surrender !” Activating his speakers and putting as much authority in his voice as he is able, Stavros demands and the couple of hundred still living foes quickly drop down their arms, realizing that they have no chance at victory or even escape. “Secure the prisoners.” Stavros begins to walk to one of the built pyres and takes out his powerknife and easily cuts through the metal chains used to hold the man there.

“They may be mutants, but they are still humans, they can be helped, they can be healed. From now on, the poor, downtrodden and fearful shall be protected and helped !”

“You fool showing kindness to evil ! They are monsters both in spirit and in body !” One of the men in white screams out.

“And what evidence do you have ?”

“There ! That is their, meathouse !”

A couple of soldiers march ahead and quite literally kick in the wall to allow Stavros to gaze inside, and as the sheets of metal are removed, you can see corpses hanging off of meathooks, pained faces upon men, women, children. Cleavers and other tools are abandoned on the ground in a quick fashion. You do note a few mutant corpses on the ground, signs of struggle as they were dragged out to be punished. With their proximity, you are also able to make quick readings of the room. The corpses are fresh, much to your disgust, a few are still alive. You send a quick ping informing the nearest soldiers to assist the still living.

“Those of twisted body are of a twisted mind ! Your foolishness here had costed the lives of those whom wished to deliver Emperor’s justice to the accursed and his mercy to those wronged !”

With a loud shout, the mutant still in Stavros’ hands stabs ahead into his throat with a glass shard, a weakpoint in the armour, but luckily, the glass is too dull and brittle. In response, Stavros guts the mutant, you register rage upon his expression and an increase in his levels of adrenaline.

>>5784925

Dropping the corpse onto the ground, your first and so far, only colonel regards the situation. “Kill the cannibals.” Obeying without hesitation, his men out the mutants to swift, if painful deaths. “You. My words still stand. Everyone than can be saved shall be. For now, you are my prisoners. You will not starve, you will not be mistreated. And that is the goal that I have for the entirety of the underhive.”

“If your words are true, go to Alyrics chapel, the faithful gather there for safety and to wage war against their would-be assailants.”

“I promise, I shall save everyone here.”
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The operation in the underhive had so far been…slow. Efforts are being made and thousands had already received treatment, but the process had to be selective simply due to the circumstances. The needs for survival had caused irreversible damage to the psyche and mental well-being of the people, many had shown no signs of remorse for their actions or outright refusal for treatment or any other methods of help. Due to the sheer brutality of the underhive, the entire process had been exceptionally selective, for now Stavros had been treating and assisting those whom are the easiest to help and are the most likely to be fully treated. Using the stealth outpost as means of obfuscating their very presence, multiple drop off point had been set up, word had been spread that any who go there can expect food, water, treatment. A few tried to set up ambushes, however they themselves were ambushed and gotten rid of either by O.D.D. or the shade drones looking out in the vicinity of the drop off points.

As such, without further intervention, the work will continue, if slowly, but surely.

One thing of potential danger you had located however would be within the deep underhive. Rumours and reports indicate the presence of the still unknown enemy. Indications showcase any humans or living things there experience rampant and all-encompassing mutations that seem to just appear at random and a dangerous cult is located, a cult of mutants and monster, most of whom seem to showcase something that you are fascinated by and with – psychic abilities. Something that had not been a thing within the human genome when the federation still reigned supreme. Much to your endless annoyance, any drones sent simply cut off from your connection and had to be destroyed. As such, the only force you could send there would be elements of O.D.D.

>The risks are great, but the rewards greater. Potential prisoners, investigation about the psychic genomes, information upon the unknown enemy able to seemingly cut your connections off. Send in the O.D.D., the information is simply too valuable for your efforts to help humanity.

>You cannot risk it, collapse the tunnels and simply bury your foes alive. Hopefully gravity will do your job for you.

>Leave it be, they are yet to threaten you, or your operations upon world.

>(Write in)

>>5784927
>The risks are great, but the rewards greater. Potential prisoners, investigation about the psychic genomes, information upon the unknown enemy able to seemingly cut your connections off. Send in the O.D.D., the information is simply too valuable for your efforts to help humanity.
>(Write in)
Due to the Unknown Enemy, Send Tertiary Orders for the O.D.D. to complete before attacking this cult. Best and try to prepare before fighting it.
- Call more O.D.D. reinforcements down in the Underhive of Xandirah Prime, for avoid that our outpost is attacked and also quickly send help to Stavros.
- The cult is playing on defense here, still the underhive is a decrepit and poorly maintained place, the terrain can betray them. Gather informations with trustworthy locals about the cult surroundings for the best attack plans we can provide the O.D.D.
- Ensure the O.D.D. has caches of flashbangs and smoke grenades to use if needed.
- Visit Alyrics chapel, question local fanatics leaders about this enemy. How these enemies acts ? Fights ? Can they be demoralized ? What they hate ? How do the fanatics usually fight them (if they do) ? The answers they give us might help the O.D.D. further in the attack against the cult or it could be absurd ramblings. If nothing else they might be able to assist the O.D.D. attack in some way, if we want to involve them.
- Ensure the O.D.D. is properly rested, knows the plan for attack the cult, battle ready and motivated for the fight ahead...... The effects of our changes are slow, if it gives them solace and security allow them their private prayers prior to the battle. Perhaps the small phenomenon on Eregenus Quintus battle would repeat it self. Perhaps is foolish to think it would matter ?

>>5784927
> (Write-in)
> Ask the locals on what the HELL is going on within that tunnel, while also try to conduct a few recon missions with either androids or O.D.D. personnel - preferably with good stealth equipment. Do not make any drastic moves as of yet.

Meta-knowledge:
It's a Chaos cult in full swing. They're all but granted to be monstrous in nature and horrific in actions. AIs are also notoriously bad at dealing with warp-tainted stuff, and last time a Federation AI (read: Man of Iron) touched some warp-tainted stuff the Iron War happened. So for the love of Omnissiah do NOT try to perform experiments on them! Those things, once allowed into our system, WILL turn us into rampaging machines that only serve to further the Dark Gods' goals.

>>5785025
... and this.

>>5785025
>>5785074
+1

>>5784927
>>5785025
>support
>can we use our old man android to fold the underhive resistance into our ODD Operation?

>>5785168
>>can we use our old man android to fold the underhive resistance into our ODD Operation?

He is located in the lower hive, so he'd have to get people from the hive proper down to the underhive. Due to his influence he has fighters dedicated enough to do so, but it would draw attention and establish contact with the hive proper and the underhive.

>>5785025
Support the checklist
We also should look into developing a mobile drone control station to provide a basic local control net to slave our drones to in places where our main signal doesn't work properly. Might not work or limit their functionality, but having places where our main robotic force element cannot operate at all is not acceptable. Either that or combat units capable of operating autonomously.

>>5785180
The problem is that they can severe our connection with ease, and we don't know how they do it. Unless we directly control it, i am not sure anything we do its enough.
It doesn't feel great to be this cut out from giving help and essentially just self detonate our robotic units if they are reached by their influence.
Chaos has it always easy with their corruption and power. Still we should try something or think on it for develop it later. Maybe a tower or a building if not a robotic unit moving around like you suggested.


Eitherway in regard to attacking this cult, we could offer the informations to the O.D.D. gained from fighting the Blood Brethern gang in Precinct 8, and the Infected in Precinct seventy-seven.
Alongside some tips and ideas from Warrior and Apprentice.
Thats two Androids that have fought it, and general combat experience gained from themselves and the men under them.
Its not perfect but is better than nothing.

>>5784927
>The risks are great, but the rewards greater. Potential prisoners, investigation about the psychic genomes, information upon the unknown enemy able to seemingly cut your connections off. Send in the O.D.D., the information is simply too valuable for your efforts to help humanity.
>Full blown Chaos cult on the verge of summoning daemons onto the planet and killing everyone.
WELP! Sad to say that we are about to find out REAL fucking fast if we can survive the powers of KAYOS!!!!111one or if we go full Men of Iron upon glimpsing it. Im REALLY not on the up and up about our chances. Not having a soul is a BAD way to go and get exposed to the powers of Space Hell. One thing is for certain, we will soon learn first hand why the Federation died the death it did. I only hope we come out whole and sane on the other end of it.

>>5785246
It definitely warrants investigation. The idea was something like a backpack computer with real basic bitch radio or microwave comms - we're operating at very long distance, through a lot of shit and likely with something much higher tech (while never specified, something like a QED?) that may be more vulnerable to Warp interference - I think using something lower tech at very close range has a higher chance of working. If that fails we can explode unconventional options like modulated ultrasound, pulsed line-of-sight IR and even wire tethers to frustrate the interference.

>>5785258
Chaos has already tried to attack us more than once, i think the O.D.D. will give a fair fight but suffer some losses due to not wanting any biological modifications (we cannot aid them with robotic units because they will turn them rogue, and i doubt we will be able to see or talk to them during the attack either. Forcing us out essentially), mostly if there are demons around to kill, cultists will just be wiped out even if they are thousands.

From what Odysseus has seen already from the unknown enemies, he would probably just detach all the humans and self detonate, if they truly reached him.
We had options for essentially go chaos before and didn't follow them.

>>5785259
Low tech would likely nullify our technological advantage and put us at a lower level of coordination and efficiency. And chaos doesn't to have problems corrupting low tech equipment either.

>>5785283
Lowering the tech level may be a hindrance to the ability to control the drones and restrict the rate and complexity of the commands they may be given, but that's better than having no drones at all and having humans take the casualties instead. How autonomous they are and whether they rely on us for just general instructions and their subroutines handle the rest or they need us to compute every twitch of a servo is not clear (either it wasn't stated or I just can't remember) - if it's the former, they shouldn't have much issue.
I don't believe Chaos' ability to corrupt machines has been elaborated on as much as it has for meatbags - while I know it happens, not so much on the specifics of the process. If it's a concern, we can take them on test runs to gather data on how it works, replace their AIs after each mission and limit how many they may be used on in their lifespans.

>>5785259
If we first investigate what kind of interference we're facing, we'd be prepared for the mission. I say we lower a wired probe/drone into the interference to study the effects it has on AI.

>>5785336
... just make sure it wasn't wired to anything important - Chaos have a tendency to make a mess of any machines they touch, especially if the cult happens to reside in a section numbered seven.
Whereas the other three would only try to reprogram the affected machinery to serve their own twisted goals (Daemon engines have to be intentionally built in Hellforges where literal chaos daemons are considered essential mechanical supplies), Nurgle is known to create daemonic abominations out of your machinery (and their operators) by just setting sights on you.

>>5785025
>>5785074

Supporting

>>5785380
This is a lesson Oddie has to learn. See what it does to a couple of drones as a wake-up call and further line of inquiry into how to protect them and itself.

Yet again, your curiosity has gotten the better of you.

“Colonel, new orders incoming. The unknown cult is priority one. Sending additional information. For this task I shall be sending down extra equipment and the remainder of the detachment.”

“Roger that.” Stavros responds as he directs his men to hand out ration packs to another group of weary people that had come hearing the promises of help. The local populace still is paranoid and fearful, but a few weeks of non-stop assistance and naturally the brutal destruction of anyone daring to try and exploit the situation if anything had convinced the locals of the truth of the matter.

Switching the cameras, you oversee the final preparations of reinforcements arriving, that being the remainder of O.D.D. as well as a collection of raw resources, enough for the on the stop manufactories to make more munitions and various types of grenades.

And for now ? Well, all you can do is wait and hope that the training that O.D.D. underwent, their discipline and equipment shall be enough to carry the day as you are now relegated entirely to a logistical role.

-
(POV shift: You are Stavros Zanx, colonel of the Odyssey Defence Detachment.)

“Captain, I want your company to remain and guard the outpost, carry out the relief efforts, and ensure that our rear is safe. From the reports I had received, the fighting for the primary target will be difficult, I’d rather have no surprises at my back whilst I am busy.” You say over the comms, the signal being transmitted through the numerous servitors, or, well, drones you guess would be the correct term, between you and the remainder of your detachment.

“Understood sir, we’ll make sure no one dares to try and pull any tricks.”

“Good. Prepare the rally point, we will march out from there as soon as I acquire the needed info and everyone rests.” You click off the comm. “Sorry for that, old man.” You say to the person next to you.

“No need to apologise, you’re feeding me and my family, if anything I owe you apologies for how much we are relying on you.” The man, whose skin is sickeningly pale due to a lack of vitamin D, as you now know, says still greedily gorging on the sustainment nutrients. Missing most of his teeth, having clear marks upon his head, you’d reckon he’s perhaps in his early fifties, but easily looks older due to the harshness of the environment, a rarity even, old folks were not common back home, but here ? To hit forty already makes one an esteemed elder.

“It is our duty to help. Now, those freaks at the deep underhive, you know anything about them ?”

>>5785468

“Little.” The old man says cleaning his cracked lips. “They’ve always been there far as I know. Mutants all of them, shooting lightning out of their fingers, throwing about fire. Witches the lot of them. Only thanks to the church as those fine folk willing to die for the God-Emperor were they ever kept at bay, though other gangs would join in as well, no one likes competition after all.”

“Any idea why they attack ?”

“Food. Water.” He shrugs. “Sacrifices. Most cults need those, no clue what they do with folk they capture, maybe they capture them to keep the meat fresh, or maybe to offer them to whatever devils they proclaim to worship. Had seen them on times a few. Mutants, horrid ones at that, some lumbering giants of flesh, encouraged by some handlers poking ‘em with spears. Others look human, though wearing long cloaks, some appear hunched, others have more limbs…or missing a few. Never seen any faces, but quite a few webbed hands.”

“And the church and the gangers, how do they fight them ?”

“The gangers ? Throw as much ammo and booms they can, ain’t seen yet a witch immune to a bullet to the head yet. As for the church, they use blessed promethium, holy flames and sanctified weapons. Rumour has it that they’re occasional supplied by the priests high above as means of charity, though rumours only, and if it ever happens, it’s probably rarely, seeing as they tend to starve as any one of us.”

“Any way to get to them ?”

The old man again shrugs. “Take your pick, plenty of tunnels, though most folk never come back when they go down them, those few that stumble back come raving and screaming, having been lost for Emperor knows how long down there. My advice ? If you really wanna do it, just go down.”

You chuckle. “That’s good advice. Once you and yours had eaten we’re departing, it may be a final farewell if they are as dangerous as you said. Keep yourself safe and alive.”

“I’d like to say the same. You folk, in your shining white armour are the first folks to truly bring hope down here to so many. I hope everything works out.”

“So do I.”
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“Looks more like a scrapyard than a church.” Your major calls out, his helmet no doubt zoomed as far as it can to make out details about the place.

“Everything looks like a scrapyard down here.” Your captain remarks.

“Well, at least they have an aquila.” You dryly remarks looking at the crudely made symbol at the front of the building, painted yellow rather than made of gold as you are used to.

From the distance you can see numerous folk gathering for prayer, the stained and washed out white robes, almost reminiscent of your own armour being clear and easy to distinguish across the gathered masses.

“Sir, was it a good idea to let all of our prisoners go ?” The captain says.

>>5785469

“They saw us helping people without any discrimination. We also expressed our want to fight the cult, if that doesn’t convince them, I don’t know what will.” You reply.

“Sir, if I may speak for myself and the men.” The major now says.

“Go.”

“After what happened last time, the men are uncomfortable fighting men of the God-Emperor. Leaves a bad taste in their mouths. Even if they are not properly ordained priests.”

“I know.” You sigh. “But orders are orders. I’d rather not fight them as well.”

“Oh, looks like the priest is coming out.”

You quickly move your attention towards the large doors as they open up, it’d be more impressive if they weren’t cheap garage doors rolling to the side, but for people here it is probably awe inspiring.

And coming out you clearly identify Alyric no doubt. A dour looking man in his mid-thirties, the only person here with actually clean white cloth, a handflamer and what appears to be an old and rusty chainsword, but a chain weapon nonetheless. In contrast to his clothing, deep black hair and a long black beard stands out alongside bright blue eyes that seemingly pierce through whatever they are looking.

“Ah, seems he’s seen us.”

“Gee, I wonder how he noticed a few hundred figures in white armour in front of pitch darkness.” The captain says to the major, breaking discipline in the exchange, but you’ll let that slip, you’re not in combat after all.

“I’d rather not keep a man of the cloth waiting, let’s go.” You command, stopping the argument before it begins and you start to march towards the church.

“Greeting, unknown ones, I am preacher Alyric.” The man proclaims with a surprisingly powerful voice. Maybe there is merit to that claim.

“Preacher.” You make the sign of the aquila. “I hope you know why we had come here.”

“I do. Whilst I despise some of your actions and soon you shall be condemned for sheltering the mutant, but if you are willing to fight the heretic, I shall assist, for now.”

“That is all I ask.”

“Then do so.”

“How do these heretics fight ? How do they act, move ? Anything they want or hate in particular ? How do you beat them back with such frequency that we heard about ?”

“Hah, we beat through our faith in the God-Emperor and our will to fight against these heretic mutants !” He loudly proclaims. “They use foul magics and trickery, but those of clear faith and dedication, through sheer force of will and belief in the glory of the God-Emperor, they are able to wield the armour of contempt and beat back these heretics.”

“And those lacking ?”

“They die. And then are judged for their lack of faith by He upon the golden throne.”

“I see.”

>>5785470

“These foul cowards fight as any heretic does, without honour nor courage. They send waves upon waves of disgusting mutants, giant beasts warped and accursed by no doubt the foul witchery shown by these heretics, whilst powerful, they can be slain through the might of arms and blades guided by the Emperor, cut apart and destroyed, blown to bits by blessed bullets. All the meanwhile those witches stand at the back, using their foul sorceries to drive lesser men mad, blow them apart with spells. But through disgust and contempt, all it takes to reach them and wring the life out of their necks.”

“You had killed them before ?”

“Many a time. They try and try again, that is one thing that I cannot deny about them, their endless foolishness in their belief that they can overwhelm those whose faith is ironclad in the God-Emperor.”

“Do they defend themselves in any way once you reach them ?”

“They do. Creating barriers to deflect bullets, halt attacks, but they can still be gutted.”

“Could they block explosions ?”

The priest smiles. “They cannot halt pure flames if enough are unleashed, blowing them apart is also easy to do, especially if they are distracted.”

“One final question about this cult; are you aware of where they are, exactly ?”

The priest looks even more dour than usual, a possibility you had not thought about. “The light of the God-Emperor does not reach that far down, those tunnels, they are cursed. They need to be bathed in holy promethium and enlightened to wash away the foul heretic corruption deeply set within there. If you dare to venture there, you shall need the Emperor’s guidance.”

“Would you be willing to give it ? I and my men, they’d like to pray, it had been far too long since they had visited the church.”

He snorts. “I shall assist you. Come.”
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You stand before a tiny altar in a small small side room from the main church, where all of your men, the 750 of them whom you are planning on taking down there are all currently locked in prayer, kneeling before the aquila as they beseech guidance of the Emperor. Bar a few dozens of them whom seem to regard the entire matter with utter indifference, you grew up with those men so it came as a slight surprise, but with what you know, you suppose it makes sense for some to lose faith when presented with technologies closer to magics before them.

>>5785471

“I shall lend you this for the task at hand, and only for the task. If you are man of honour as you proclaim, it shall be returned to my protection should you live.” Alyric proclaims taking off the metal casing and revealing an aquila upon the cushion, a medallion made of actual gold, part of it singed and burnt, showcasing a bullet’s impact upon it. The reverence with which Alyric treats it gives you pause as you watch it as well and you can feel as if you were back at home, at a much more peaceful and safer time. “This once belonged to a preacher who hid his name and came here willingly from the upper hive, desiring to spread the God-Emperor’s light for all of humanity. He wore this medallion for the entirety of his life, fighting against mutant and heretic alike to ensure the holy fury of He upon the golden throne shall forever burn in the hearts of those whom believe in it. It is sacred and blessed by his own blood and the blood of martyrs whom died to spread his message. Take, and treat it with reverence.”

You undo your helmet for the first time since you entered the underhive, bar when you were within the outpost. The slight tinge of metal is clear upon your tongue, you can feel your nostrils burn up and your lungs protest as the unclean air fills them, but you hold down your desire to cough, still in awe of the artifact as you slowly and carefully put it around your neck. You can almost feel heat emanating from it, a warm touch as your heart beats together in a tandem with the warmth emanating from the aquila.

“Thank you.”

“There is no need for thanks. These heretics threaten everything the God-Emperor stands for and everything humanity wishes to preserve. We may fight yet, but for now, spread the Emperor’s light, his fury, and bring death to those whom dare oppose Him.”

“I shall do so.” You reply putting your helmet back on, it clicks and hisses as the foul air is expelled and the clear recycled air is once again pumped in.

“As for your men. Whilst I have no gold to spare, there are still many aquilas, blessed by me, my predecessors and other holy men available for your men.”

“I am sure they would appreciate, yet again, I owe my thanks.”

“Just make sure to kill those heretics.” He states walking away.
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.
“By the emperor, this place feels creepy.” Your major remarks.

“Yea, there’s something…off about this place.” You reply, still looking at the reports Odysseus gave you from some of his drones, one called Warrior and one named Apprentice. Strange names, you have to admit, but hopefully the reports are worth something, seeing as how the threat is apparently potentially similar to the one faced before. “Remember, once we go in, we’ll have no reinforcements. Everyone watches each other’s backs, we move slow, we move steady, and we don’t get lost in these labyrinths.”

“Sir, yes, sir !”

>>5785473

You regard the drones hovering around just before the tunnel entrance. “Odysseus, are you there ?”

”Affirm. Commence with the experiment.”

You take a deep breath, and step through the invisible threshold. You step through, and besides the heat you feel slightly upon your chest, something your readouts deny is happening, nothing else occurs.

“Odysseus ?” You say through the comm, contacting one of the drones as means of bouncing information, entirely isolated from the network as a whole.

And moments later you take a moment to watch as the drone is turned to slag by the others around it as dozens of silent bullets rip it to shreds.

”Thank you, colonel. That is all, please commence with the mission.”

You have a feeling that something happened that Odysseus doesn’t want you to know about.

“Right, men ! Move !”

-
(End of POV shift.)

Most disturbing.

Through the communications had come scrap code. Endless amounts of it, despite the best efforts you had tried. Radio waves, light beam, you had even attempted quantum entanglement. Something is interfering and unleashing what you can only really describe as…corruption. It infects and spreads throughout the systems, were it not for your near instantaneous response, the code could have easily spread without halt right back to your hull. The charge had been…unexpected, you also are unable to analyse the code, doing so would bring unneeded danger. Perhaps you should send nothing more than an entirely unarmed, unequipped drone and capture it ? There now is complete and true proof that humans are able to operate entirely undisturbed by whatever is interfering with you and your drones. You could compare the still operational drone alongside the retrieved core of the destroyed one. Though yet again, you lack any proper facilities to do that, but you shall keep this plan in mind, for now you have to await the return of the detachment.

You do hope you will not have to await for long.

-
(POV shift: You are Stavros Zanx, colonel of the Odyssey Defence Detachment. About three days later.)

“We’re fething lost.” One of the captains remarks.

“Just keep going down.” You grumble back. This is the first you had experienced having to act in your suit for so long…the functions of it had been most disturbing, though allowing you to take care of all of your matters without having to actually leave it. Still, the simulations had not prepared you for this. *We’ve been going down and down and it never fething ends !* You curse out in your mind, after all, you are the CO so you can’t really say what is in your mind.

>>5785476

Shifting your rifle, you turn on your comm. "ᵂᵉ ᵏnᵒʷ, ʷᵉ ᵏnᵒʷ, ʷᵉ ᵏnᵒʷ, ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʰinᵍˢ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒ, ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʰinᵍˢ ʸᵒᵘ ʰiᵈᵉ, ʷᵉ ᵏnᵒʷ, ʷᵉ ᵏnᵒʷ-" “Scouts, report.” You command ignoring the song. You had once asked your officers about it, but they had all just looked at you weird. You have to admit, you are rather stressed and you’ve been having issues sleeping. Though looking at your men, others also appear to be disturbed.

“Nσƚԋιɳɠ ƚσ ɾҽρσɾƚ, ʂιɾ. Tυɳɳҽʅ, ƚυɳɳҽʅ, αɳԃ ɱσɾҽ ƚυɳɳҽʅ.” The distorted voice of the scout team comes back. Your comms had been damned shoddy for a while now as well, at least this part had affected everyone. Small blessing that.

“Just keep going.” You tiredly growl back and switch the comm off, that song is getting on your nerves.

And you march, you can feel your feet ache, even with the assistance of the servos, you had been walking non-stop for a damn long time.

“Wonder if those witches have anything interesting.” One of your soldiers says out loud through the speaker.

“What’d you mean ?” Another responds.

“Well, they are witches, right ? Maybe they have some shrivelled up dolls, some ancient cursed heroes turned into plates ?”

“What stories had you been reading ?”

“Old ones.”

“Aha. I am sure that if you ask politely, the witch that wants to slit your throat will glad showcase its cutlery for you.”

“Well, all I’m saying-“

You listen for a while as more and more of your men get into conversations, talks, and just attempts to kill the time, not like you can fault them.

With another sight, you hit the comms. “Scouts, report.” "ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵈiᵉᵈ, ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵈiᵉᵈ, ˢᶜʳᵉᵃᵐinᵍ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵈiᵉᵈ-"

“Scouts, report.” You repeat listening to the static. " ˢᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ, ᵃnᵈ ˢᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ, ˢᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ ᵗʰᵉʸ ʰᵃᵈ, ˡiᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵒᵒn ˡᵒᵘᵈˡʸ ˢʰᵃˡˡ ! ᴬᴴᴬᴴᴬᴴᴬᴴᴬ !"

“Everyone, cut the chatter. I lost contact with the scouts.” You quickly call out and discipline ingrained in your men kicks in as they all prepare their rifles and spread out by their platoons.

Hefting your own rifle, you move ahead as the forward platoons start to move rapidly.

It takes a good ten minutes to reach where the scouts should have been, and before you is a hallway, twisted, changing and shifting, crystals grow out of the walls, ceiling and the floor, their colours changing without halt despite there being no real light, you had been travelling using your flashlight built into your helmets and rifles for illumination, but the crystals, weirdly enough, are changing of colour even when no light truly shines.

“Sir, if I may report, sir.” Your major asks.

“Go.”

>>5785478

“I think we found the witches, sir.”

“It appears you are correct. Everyone, move ! Cover each other !”

Moving in a quick stride, the entire formation rapidly enters the deformed tunnel. You stumble slightly as you quickly realize that the tunnel had actually shifted. Ever so slightly, but enough to throw you off your rapid stride alongside the remainder of your men.

“Report !”

“Every-“

A scream rings out as from a pile of crystals emerges a body, shifting and changing as it moves, but still clearly a hulking monstrosity. One of its numerous limbs elongates and grows, slamming one of your soldiers into the wall, breaking some of the crystals as the soldier’s telemetry readings go dark, the armour buckling and bending, the power armour offering no protection from the sheer strength of the blow, blood and gore gushes out from the bent and rent asunder armour.

“Open fire !” You scream you pulling the trigger, if nothing else, it is made of flesh and blood as one of the creature’s limbs is blown off, blood evaporating and flesh cooking and being charred in seconds.

The being shouts in pain with a hundred different voices howling at once as it lashes out even as more and more chucks of its flesh is flash boiled and blown apart by an endless barrage of the volkite weapons. With a single mighty swing, another half a dozen are thrown into the air, these ones had survived, though you registered exceptional blunt force trauma as the armour and the flesh and bones underneath is injured.

“It’s weakening, kee-“ One of your lieutenants is interrupted as he literally crumples on the ground, the noise of metal being collapsed irritates your ears and a fountain of blood erupts from the ground as an entire platoon is killed as the very laws of gravity are torn asunder. The creature seemingly shifts, you think you see double as it continues its shouting and howling.

“Kill it ! Kill it ! In the Emperor’s name, kill that abomination !” A sergeant this time shouts out and yet again the tunnel shifts as you stumble. “AAAAARRRGGGHHHH !” That very sergeant screams out as endless hordes of mutants overwhelm him as you realize that the tunnel has numerous forks that had not existed before and an endless horde of mutants charges you. Twisted and broken, they exhibit strength that no living thing should…You pull the trigger and the head of one of the mutants explodes. The eyeball flying and impacting your visor…if nothing else, they died a lot easier than whatever that thing is.

“Flash out !” One of soldiers screams and simply throws the grenade into the air. You quickly shut off your visor and mute any noise, relying on the system to automatically turn it on…and it does, with the flash having gone off, you can see the mutants, those that have eyes anyways, stumble.

>>5785479

More or less holding down their triggers, your men use the opportunity to cut down the ambushers. You’re certain that the barrels will end up warping with such non-stop fire, but no one seems to care as their survival is taking the priority.

Another inhuman howling scream results in more IFFs being snuffed out as the mass of flesh moves yet again, grabbing and crushing one man as his pained shouts fill the air and another dozen are killed as the numerous limbs beat them to death, the armour only buying a few moments of pain before death.

“Sir ! The witches !” Your major shouts out.

Looking where he had indicated, you see a figure clad in a brown long robe, their face and look hidden besides a pale, slightly blue hand and even from here you can see the blood veins pulsating underneath the almost skeletal body structure.

“All we-“ The major starts again, and you watch as he halts, shudders, and drops to the ground. The telemetry report showcases serious head trauma, it imploding specifically.

“Kill the sorcerers !” You shout atop of your lungs and aim at the figure that merely raises its hand and you watch as the volkite rounds are deflected, simply slamming into the walls, ground, and ceiling, but not impacting the target.

You yourself feel a headache come over you as your breathing intensified, but so does the warm heat of your medallion. It takes you a moment to compose yourself.

Breathing heavily, you go into a run, simply slinging the rifle on your back and allowing the magnetic locks to secure it in place. Taking out a grenade, you hurl it into the air all the while you pull out your powerknife.

Lightning erupts from the fingertips of the witch and you feel the shock go through your body, but the pain is lesser than you had expected. Instead you concentrate on the warmth.

“For the Emperor !” You shout tackling the figure and raising your knife as you are propelled backwards by an invisible force as the sorcerer tries to rise to his feet, his attention entire on you.

And that’s when you send the command to the grenade.

Once again, blasted off his feet, the witch roughly slams onto the ground, their back raked by the explosion. Despite the crippling injury, one you only avoided because of your armour, the witch still struggles.

Quickly getting onto your feet, you kick the figure in the head, not letting them recover even for a moment and you slam your knife right into the face, and again, and again, and again.

Another shout of pain and horror rings out and you turn around, only to see one of your men, a true mad bastard, shoving his plasma pistol right down one of the throats of the massive beast and firing it at full power, blowing a clear hole through the creature and the beast finally collapses, its flesh shifting, pulsating and moving, seemingly struggling to reform.

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>>5785480

Not taking a damn chance, everyone who’s able to pumps volkite bolts or plasma rounds into the thing, some of the more daring ones slam the body full of grenades and activates them blowing whole chucks out.

Once again, the tunnel shakes, with crystal raining down from the ceiling, luckily however, the tough armour is actually able to more or less deflect and ignore even direct impacts, it would still undoubtedly hurt, but it wouldn’t even incapacitate your men. That does bring a shudder to your baack when you realize just how strong these mutants, especially that monstrosity is.

And you see that the forks had yet once again disappeared, leaving the few mutants stranded, stranded now alone only with your rather angry men.

The mop up is a rather short one, and you take the opportunity to take off the cloak off the witch’s head. The face before you is drained of life, worse than the most malnourished people you had seen, the same bluesish tint upon the skin and clear veins, as well as a massive symbol carved in to the face. Most oddly of all, you see a beak instead of a proper mouth and nose, with feathers hanging at random and seemingly growing out of the person.

You kick the body one last time, and nothing happens. Taking a breath, you look around your surroundings. “Everyone, regroup ! We move in five ! We must be close to their lair !”

Saying so, you wipe your blade clean and sheathe the knife, checking your suit integrity, taking back your rifle and making sure it is functioning properly.

Soon enough, your force though much reduced begins to march ahead. Now even more cautious and prepared.

"ᴺinᵉ ʰᵘnᵈʳᵉᵈ ᵃnᵈ ninᵉᵗʸ-ninᵉ ᵗiᵐᵉˢ ʷᵉ ʰᵃᵈ ˢᵃˡˡiᵉᵈ. ᵀᵒ ᶜᵃᵖᵗᵘʳᵉ ninᵉ ʰᵘnᵈʳᵉᵈ ᵃnᵈ ninᵉᵗʸ-ninᵉ ʷᵒʳᵗʰʸ ˢᵃᶜʳiᶠiᶜᵉˢ ᶠᵒʳ ninᵉ ʰᵘnᵈʳᵉᵈ ᵃnᵈ ninᵉᵗʸ-ninᵉ ʸᵉᵃʳˢ."

You groan in annoyance as your comm once again echoes. You quickly move to switch off, only to realize that it is already disabled.

"ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉiᵍʰᵗʸ-ᵒnᵉ ᵏᵉʸˢ, ʷᵉ ʰᵃᵈ ᶜᵃʳᵛᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᶠˡᵉˢʰ ᵒᶠ ᶠᵒᵉˢ ᵇˡinᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʳᵘᵗʰ ᵃnᵈ ᵇᵉᵗʳᵃʸᵉᵈ."

“Sir, I can hear something, and the comms are down.” One of the captains remarks.

"ᵂiᵗʰ ninᵉ ᵖˡᵒᵗˢ ʷᵉ ʰᵃᵈ ᶠᵒʳᵍᵉᵈ ᵍᵃᵗᵉˢ ᵒᶠ ᵏnᵒʷˡᵉᵈᵍᵉ ᵃnᵈ ᵃᵐᵇiᵗiᵒn."

>>5785484

“I can hear it too. I think we’ve reached our destination.” You say walking atop of slight rise before you, and you see a large open, perfectly circular chamber. There in the very middle stand nine witches you have no doubt surrounding a circle glowing blue, with flames that belch forth no smoke and burn as equal bright blue illuminating the surroundings placed perfectly in almost a wave-like pattern, looking almost like a whirlwind in motion.

“ຟith Şค¢rifi¢ēŞ ๓ค໓ē. ຟith ๖l໐໐໓ Şhē໓ ໐f thē ¢นrŞē໓ คຖ໓ ๖r໐kēຖ. ຟē Şน๓๓໐ຖ ฯ໐น, Şērงคຖt ໐f thē คr¢hitē¢t ໐f fคtē.” The words, no longer distant sound clear, but twisted and strange, as if said by a foreign tongue, but understood by you still. And by now, your data had come in, each section between the braziers houses a hundred mutants exactly, for nine hundred in total. It’ll be a hell of a fight.

"Cσɱҽ, ƈσɱҽ ƚσ υʂ ɳσɯ ʂҽɾʋαɳƚ σϝ T̷̢̧̝̫͚̃͊Z̵̛̩̊̂͆E̶̤̦͆͑͋E̶̖̤̞̎͌N̷̡̘̯̯͂͐Ţ̴̧̢̡͚͔̫̳̉̽̑̽̈́̚Ć̸̡̻͇̺̻̫̙̟̈́̒̎͜ͅH̶̥̥̭͓͎͉̖͔̫̼̏ ! Cσɱҽ αɳԃ ϝҽαʂƚ υρσɳ ƚԋҽ ʂσɳʂ σϝ ƚԋҽ ɾҽƚυɾɳҽԃ ƈԋιʅԃ σϝ ɱαԃɳҽʂʂ σʅԃ !"

The sight before you baffles your eyes as the mutant servants shout and scream in endless pain just as the blue circle increases in intensity and all of them drop dead. And the what you see then causes you pain, it hurts your eyes to watch a figure appear in the middle of the circle, it had not been there, and with but a blink it is before you.

Only now do you notice the true form standing there…it is one of your men, and only now do you see, slit throated, lacking helmets, men of the scouting team next to circle itself. Nine of them in total, and the tenth one stands, with an unnatural smile and dark eyes completely lacking any sorts of humanity.

It turns to regard you…and it smiles. Despite the distance, you know for a fact that it is staring at you.

“Kill it ! Kill these bastards all !” You shout out levelling the rifle.

Firing non-stop the witches, weakened as they are from whatever accursed ritual they carried out, are actually cut down, to the last one. Though you do note that they still raised their hands only to quickly regard the now…you have no words to describe what one of your soldiers now is. But all that matters is that all of them die, their bodies blown to bits and torn apart by hundreds of volkite bolts.

The circle still pulsates with light as the now clearly possessed man takes its first gingerly steps out of the circle as all rounds simply go around him.

“Charge and throw frags ! We will stab that witch if we have to !” You start to close the distance as you keep firing without stop.

>>5785485

Still smiling, the creature raises one hand, and from it erupts a bolt of twisting energy and colours and it cuts through dozens of your men, their screams are cut out as their armour quite literally vaporates, the weapons in their hands turning into nought but smoke and their bodies begin to twist and bend and break. Their horrid screeches are are soon met by the rest of your men as their former comrades attack them in a blind rage, if nothing else, they are quickly cut down.

“Spread out ! Spread out !” You shout and start flinging grenades, both destructive and flash. But as they go out, whatever damage you think to inflict simply disappears as it is about to impact the body.

It is laughing now as it snaps its fingers.

Shouts of pain again fill your ears as bright blue flames burst out of the armour of another few dozen men, they shout and shout and shout as the flames continue to engulf them. You shiver as even after they stop moving, their tortured screams still continue.

You scream atop of your lungs, knife drawn as you thrust it forwards, trying to repeat your trick that had proven successful and-

“GAAH !” You shout out as the air in your lungs is gone from the impact of the hit, just the punch bends the power armour and before you even have a second to react, the creature’s hand is clasped around your neck.

”"̵̧̦͎̺͚̝̥̠̭̪͋̏̓Y̷̭̯͈̥̣͙̯̳͋̉̂̏̑͆͠ͅǫ̶̢̰̞͍̘̖͎̺̈́ṳ̶̧͕̺̮̭̪͇̺̊ ̸̡̥̗̽̏̈̑̎̕s̵̡̧͕̪̤̺͖͖̫͛̑̋h̵̢̝̻̺̓̿̽̑̀̔̀̎ą̸̥̠̟͚̥̪͇̆̀̓͆̎́͝͠ľ̴͉̬͇͛̽͑̑͑̆͝l̵̩͖̻̇͐̐͌ ̵̥̬̥͔̳͖̻̙̋͋̚m̷̢͔̣̱̳̰̗͝ͅͅä̷̧̤̟̠̙̜̒͠ͅk̴̢̬̝̋̇͊̿̓̏̃̈́͠e̵̙̟̫̘͋ ̴͍̼̳͙͇͙̠̞̯͚̿̓̕ā̶̢̭̻͈̭̖̦̥̔́̓͛ ̵̨̫̦̬̠̬͕̓̓̈̏͝s̸̢̙̦̬̓̐̓ͅũ̷̟̻̖͙͋͐̓́į̴̧̜̝̜͈̉͒͐t̵̨͎͕͍͉̓̀̋́̄̐̚͜͠ą̷̳̗̺̔̓͆͒͝b̴̢̬̝͔̯̱̱̰̜͖̊͐̽͒͆͑̀̓̕͝l̸̡̨̯̘̰̮̹̹͐̐͑̔͛̿͑̌e̵̡̧̳̟̪͓̬̪̖̠͋̉́́̂̇̏̚͠ ̵̮̯̰̃̓̌̓͗͊̚v̸̛͎̦̺̹̭͆͋̉̚e̴͖̥͚̝̭̻̘͎̒ͅs̸͚̮̞̟͔̦̳̓̄̿̂͒͂̉͌́s̸̨͖̊̂e̷̥͖͓̹͙̭̍̿̒͝l̶̹̦̙͌͝.̷̛̪̣̳̆̒͊́"̴̩̩͂̍̆̇” It says calmly, regarding you as…nothing, not even a pest, not even an annoyance.

With its other free hand, the daemon, as you have no other term to better fit it, unleashes a bolt of dark energy that simply annihilates more of your men whom also try to strike at it. If nothing else, you are proud of them, despite the madness they are seeing, they are not breaking, they are still fighting.

A volkite shot rings out and an IFF disappears. Your eyes go wide as one of your men murders another.

Again, the daemon laughs.

>>5785486

A knife goes to the throat of yet another unexpectant man, whom out of desperation pull out his plasma pistol, places right at the helmet of his assailant and pulls the trigger. Both of them collapse dead on the floor.

More betrayals, seemingly at random, breakout throughout the ranks as the charge comes to a halt and your soldiers busy butchering one another.

You pull out the plasma pistol and do the one thing you were told to never, ever, do. Disabling the safety features. You overload it and point to the creature’s face and pull the trigger.

Pain courses through your body and your suit is the only thing saving you from dying from shock of losing your limb. You are still screaming and writhing on the floor, but it seems that your soldiers had stopped fighting each other and are now looking confused at one another.

Meanwhile, the daemon had also lost his arm, half of its face is burnt and scared, whilst the other, you cannot comprehend the other as you see deep blue feathers simply emerge from what should be deadly wound.

“The circle ! It fluctuated, blow it to-” One of your soldiers screams as the daemon regards him for a moment and the poor man begins to break apart, literally melting like a wax candle screaming in endless agony.

But it is too late, using explosives and all of their weapons, the circle is destroyed despite the losses the beast is continuously inflicting upon your men. It stops and shudders. And then it just appears before, not uttering anything as if it is being pulled back reaching yet again for your throat, you can feel immense burning pain as your mind is being ripped apart, and suddenly a golden glow blinds you.

”N̷͓̞̖̞̥̝̣͐Ǫ̸̟̜̪͇̱̠͛̒̒͑̚O̷͎̣̜̩̪̘̰̹̙̺͛Ő̴̭̆̑̓O̸͔̠͐̏ͅO̴͉̞̞͌̇͌̀͒́́͊͠Ǫ̴̻̯̖̘͙͕̺͐͊̾͌̏̇̐͝O̵̧̜̼̤̞̮̻͗͗Ở̷̙̱̭̜̰͍̬̗̾̚̚O̵͇̊ ̷̱̘͍̄̽̃̋́͑!̶̠͖̮̹̦̼̻́̏̄̆̌̓̓̄ͅ” The creature screams in rage as golden fire engulfs its remaining arm. It screeches in an disturbing voice that seemingly shakes the very essence of your soul as the body collapses upon the ground, now looking nothing more than a desecrated corpse, lacking any feathers or the pure black eyes.

Through delirium, you watch as your men, beaten and wounded rush towards you as the braziers lose their flames and the crystals all around you crack and break, seemingly disappearing into the air and they collapse.

You can feel yourself being dragged away as consciousness escapes you and sweet restful sleep overtakes your mind.
.
.
.

>>5785487

-
(End of POV shift.)

You cannot comprehend these losses. No matter how much you run and re-run your calculations. The force of 750 men, equipped as well as they are in such a primitive age, only 99 had come back alive, only 13.2% of the originally sent force had returned. Over 80% dead, not casualties, dead. As for those, of the 99 that had returned, all exhibit serious body damage, crippling wounds and numerous injuries, were it not for your technologies the casualty rate would easily be above 95%. This is also not taking into account what you find to be most disturbing, the fact that the mental well-being of every single soldier being affected, clear signs of schizophrenia and paranoia are rampant, the soldiers are also refusing to interact or even trust anyone. And they were picked out from the best of the people aboard your hull, the strongest willed and most disciplined.

And then there’s the recording. You had not seen it. As just to be safe you instead dedicated a separate drone to view it in its own individual network. And you quickly noticed scrap code infecting the drone and you had to destroy it as well. At best, only part of the recording could have been viewed. The travelling, the ambush, even witnessing that strange clearly religious ritual, but afterwards ? Playing from that moment would quickly infect and ruin whatever drone witnessing the remainder of the recording.

Still, the reports of the surviving soldiers indicate that the threat has been dealt with and eliminated. Something you can confirm when you send your drones down there are their contact still remains, but oddly enough, only in the places that had been burnt through with promethium that the local Emperor worshipping fanatics had used. Speaking of, the moment the forces had returned, they’d set out to do so, seemingly showcasing great respect and offering prayers to the soldiers that had carried out the action. Another annoyance is the deviant behaviour of the survivors when possible obviously praying and some of the healthier ones making their way to the temple and praying there as well.

You shall have to dedicate your diplomatic subroutine to interact with and assist the soldiers. Religion after all is just a means of coping with trauma and stress. Something that can be addressed with simple psychological help and medication.

The news is also spreading rapidly and throughout the entire of the underhive after these actions. Of angels in white slaying ancient evil down below, offering mercy and justice to the needy and bringing forth redemption for the faithful. An unintended circumstance as the locals had outright started offering prayers to the detachment soldiers and the attendance of the temple seems to have nearly quintupled. And it had only been a week. Though that was enough to fully at least physically recover the surviving soldiers.

>>5785489

Though the losses suffered does raise a question, the need of more human soldiers, no matter how distasteful.

Can pick more than one. Option must reach half of total votes to pass.

>You have the population that is willing to fight, you could easily raise a new regiment. (1,000 men a regiment, can raise more than one to a maximum of 10) (Imperium’s tier of equipment) (O.D.D.’s tier of equipment) (federation standard tier of equipment)

>The O.D.D. is in need of new blood. The veterans shall become the core to guard the new soldiery against greater threats that even Lieutenant Drogode’s 105th had never faced.

>(Write in)

As for the situation in the underhive. With the reputation now present, seizing it is no longer even a matter of time, but one of will and detail.

>Seize the entirety of the underhive, it shall be under military occupation with drones and numerous outposts maintaining peace.

>Seize the entirety of the underhive, but if nothing else, these people do value their freedoms, so perhaps some autonomy would be prudent ? Naturally, you will maintain a force large enough to ensure peace and stability.

>Seize the entirety of the underhive, whilst you are hesitant to do so, you could bring all of the largest factions into a sort of a council where they can express their desires and needs. A sort of democracy, though you doubt a real one will exist for a long time, at least you would need to ensure that everyone is literate before they can even think of voting.

>Leave it be. The situation works well enough, if needed, the underhive would listen if you send Stavros out.

>(Write in)

So, uhhhh...I may have gotten carried away since I had a blast writing this. This does not mean that other updates will be this big. Sorry.

>>5785491
Of all the horrors of Chaos, we just HAVE to meet some Tzeentchian monstrosity, don't we? Khornates may take our skulls for their foul god, Slaaneshites may perform unspeakable depravities on our bodies while snorting our souls as if they're the most potent of psychedelics, Nurglites may turn anything they touch into piles of rotten refuse, but none are as damaging to human psyche as the mindfuckery that's Tzeenchian trickery. Also, did those fuckers turn the tunnels into friggin' warp portals?

>>5785490
>The O.D.D. is in need of new blood. The veterans shall become the core to guard the new soldiery against greater threats that even Lieutenant Drogode’s 105th had never faced.
>Leave it be. The situation works well enough, if needed, the underhive would listen if you send Stavros out.

Our mopup of the Cult would have probably shown up on the local Arbites' radar - but at lest we have someone up top that can tell the Arbites to look the other way. Anything more drastic than that? We're risking to be found out by the ≡][≡.

>>5785490
>You have the population that is willing to fight, you could easily raise a new regiment. (1,000 men a regiment, can raise more than one to a maximum of 10) (Imperium’s tier of equipment) (O.D.D.’s tier of equipment) (federation standard tier of equipment)
Max regiments, max standard. We have a lot of idle hands on our ship from the Deldar raid.

>Seize the entirety of the underhive, it shall be under military occupation with drones and numerous outposts maintaining peace.
We have infiltrated every layer of the system's society, if we hear that information is leaking from the underhive then act accordingly but otherwise continue the settlement and civilizing of the underhive.

>>5785490
>The O.D.D. is in need of new blood. The veterans shall become the core to guard the new soldiery against greater threats that even Lieutenant Drogode’s 105th had never faced.
>Seize the entirety of the underhive, it shall be under military occupation with drones and numerous outposts maintaining peace.

>>5785490

>You have the population that is willing to fight, you could easily raise a new regiment. (1,000 men a regiment, can raise more than one to a maximum of 10) (Imperium’s tier of equipment) (O.D.D.’s tier of equipment) (federation standard tier of equipment)

Ten Regiments, Federation standard. We got fucking massacred down there, and that makes it absolutely clear that even with power armor and volkite weapons it's just not enough.

>Seize the entirety of the underhive, it shall be under military occupation with drones and numerous outposts maintaining peace.

We have to keep a lid on things in the short term, especially since the Underhive is such a hellhole, but that doesn't mean we can't also ease up and transition to greater autonomy later.

>>5785490
And another POV character bites the dust lmao, a combat POV switch is basically a blaring klaxon that something about to go horribly wrong
>You have the population that is willing to fight, you could easily raise a new regiment. (10) (Fed Standard)
Enough of this bullshit, we shall build an overwhelming force of both quality and quantity. We shall not send any more to needless deaths like this by having insufficient of either, and will have need of them in the future anyway.
>Seize the entirety of the underhive, it shall be under military occupation with drones and numerous outposts maintaining peace.
Thousands of feet march to the beat, it's an army on the march. We've subverted enough of the world upstairs that we could gently guide away or cover up anything that would get us rumbled.

Side note, we should keep the survivors under observation. I don't trust them to not have brought anything.....unwanted.

>>5785490
Holy fuck this was bad
I wonder if it would have been better to let people have a small chapel in our hab block, to build up some chaos res through faith.
I kind of regret not voting that time, altough probably wouldn't have changed the outcome

Did the preacher get his amulet back? If possible give it back to him pls.


>The O.D.D. is in need of new blood. The veterans shall become the core to guard the new soldiery against greater threats that even Lieutenant Drogode’s 105th had never faced.

>>5785490
>>You have the population that is willing to fight, you could easily raise a new regiment. (1,000 men a regiment, can raise more than one to a maximum of 10) (Imperium’s tier of equipment) (O.D.D.’s tier of equipment) (federation standard tier of equipment)
>>The O.D.D. is in need of new blood. The veterans shall become the core to guard the new soldiery against greater threats that even Lieutenant Drogode’s 105th had never faced.
Might as well do both.

>Leave it be. The situation works well enough, if needed, the underhive would listen if you send Stavros out.
It plays into the mystique of the ghost ship. White-clad angels appearing to cleanse the underhive of corruption and then disappearing. If one of them appears and then commands, they're sure to listen and obey.

>>5785491
>casually mogs the rest of the board by throwing out 2 gigantic updates in under a day
Nice one newb.

>>5785676

Remember to specify what equipment level and how many regiments, anon. I made the argument for 10 and with Federation level equipment myself, but the choice is up to you.

>>5785686
Oh yeah, in that case:

>>5785676
10 regiments, ODD tier equipment. I'm paranoid about someone grabbing the federation standard and reverse engineering it, we need to keep a monopoly on that at all costs.

>>5785490
>You have the population that is willing to fight, you could easily raise a new regiment. (2 Regiments) (federation standard tier of equipment)
>The O.D.D. is in need of new blood. The veterans shall become the core to guard the new soldiery against greater threats that even Lieutenant Drogode’s 105th had never faced.
80% of the 1st ODD dead. Time to bring out the Fed tech and start making gene warriors because clearly volkite weapons and antiquated power armor aren't enough. At least not when dealing with supernatural bullshit.

>Leave it be. The situation works well enough, if needed, the underhive would listen if you send Stavros out.

>>5785490
> The O.D.D. is in need of new blood. The veterans shall become the core to guard the new soldiery against greater threats that even Lieutenant Drogode’s 105th had never faced.
> Leave it be. The situation works well enough, if needed, the underhive would listen if you send Stavros out.

Gotta keep our "ghost ship" image up and for the love of Omnissiah do not do anything that makes either the Admech or the ≡][≡ suspicious. Remember, both organizations work OUTSIDE both the planetary governor's and the Arbites' chain of command so we do NOT actually have any say in how much info gets to them.

>>5785490
>The O.D.D. is in need of new blood. The veterans shall become the core to guard the new soldiery against greater threats that even Lieutenant Drogode’s 105th had never faced.

>Seize the entirety of the underhive, it shall be under military occupation with drones and numerous outposts maintaining peace.

>>5785490
>You have the population that is willing to fight, you could easily raise a new regiment. (10 regiments) (O.D.D.’s tier of equipment)
>Seize the entirety of the underhive, but if nothing else, these people do value their freedoms, so perhaps some autonomy would be prudent ? Naturally, you will maintain a force large enough to ensure peace and stability.

Seems chaos outright ignores the rules which means our soldiers will die in mass until Ody figures out anti warp warding like the inquisition uses and plasters it on everything. Going federation standard won't help against chaos at all and considering we are rocking peak great crusade levels of tech publicly right now we are going to get enough attention as it is.
I am less sure with how to handle the underhive if only because I don't want us stuck herding cats for years and years.

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806 KB PNG

This debacle also brings to mind the question of how we'd support our troops in the case of further operations where Chaos interference is a danger to us and our bots. Perhaps we could draw up some designs for human-controlled heavy weapons systems based on our drones, since it's clear anything with an AI core is vulnerable. Maybe even with electromechanical control systems to make them as hardened as possible (Nurglite degradation effects being unhealthy for digital electronics also come to mind) at the cost of performance, though converting it from solid-state to analogue would gimp it less than removing the AI core would (unfortunately it seems the latter is non-negotiable), machine spirit wackery aside.
While it's dubious at best how much they'd have helped against Tzeenchian wizard bullshit, I think they'd be useful to have in the future when dealing with more shootable Chaos forces because even teched-up light infantry is still kinda squishy and I don't like the notion of sending them in without fire support when they don't have to be.

>>5785490
>You have the population that is willing to fight, you could easily raise a new regiment. (10 regiments) (federation standard tier of equipment)
Don't see why not. The tech did help our soldiers even if it wasn't as helpful as we expected.
>The O.D.D. is in need of new blood. The veterans shall become the core to guard the new soldiery against greater threats that even Lieutenant Drogode’s 105th had never faced.
Im confused, how is this mutually exclusive with the previous one? We have our first regiment be the core of our armed forces but we also expand them.

>Seize the entirety of the underhive, it shall be under military occupation with drones and numerous outposts maintaining peace.
We went for the stealth set up for exactly this purpose so what would've been the point in picking it if we're not going to use it?

>>5785759
I think the distinction that's being angled for here is between just rebuilding the ODD as it was and expanding it.

>>5785490
>>You have the population that is willing to fight, you could easily raise a new regiment.
5 Regiments, 2 Fed Standard, 3 ODD standard.
>Seize the entirety of the underhive, whilst you are hesitant to do so, you could bring all of the largest factions into a sort of a council where they can express their desires and needs. A sort of democracy, though you doubt a real one will exist for a long time, at least you would need to ensure that everyone is literate before they can even think of voting.

>>5785758
+1
I'd say given we'd be clearing out Chaos cults deep in the underhives, would we develop something similar to Astartes Terminator/Centurion armor, Sororitas Paragon warsuits, or Militarum Sentinels? Of course with the added bonus that ours can also fly.

I’m banking on the hope that the Aquilla saving our boy will be found out by oddyseus and he starts understanding that there is something to this whole god emperor thing and we get a loyalist AI quest

Leave it 4

Mil occupation 6

Autonomy 1

Democracy 1

Total 12

Military occupation it is.

>>5785759

>Im confused, how is this mutually exclusive with the previous one? We have our first regiment be the core of our armed forces but we also expand them.

>>5785490

>Can pick more than one. Option must reach half of total votes to pass.

You can rebuild the detachment and raise new regiments at once if both votes pass. There are reasons keeping O.D.D. understrength and that would be its veterancy, the hell they went through had made them far more resistant to further fight dangers as they were all baptized with fire. Not to mention they all exhibit clear signs of religious indoctrination due to the experiences suffered and that could affect any reinforcements.

That is why it is a separate option.

I will leave it for a few more hours to see if the votes change any for the army.

>>5785676

>>5785490
>support
>each 100 soldiers gets 1 surviving ODD as an officer.

>>5785918
>There are reasons keeping O.D.D. understrength and that would be its veterancy, the hell they went through had made them far more resistant to further fight dangers as they were all baptized with fire.
Oh I see. So we could either turn them into officers for everyone else, or make them a pocket company of the best of the best? Like the space marine 1st companies.

>>5785925

>Oh I see. So we could either turn them into officers for everyone else, or make them a pocket company of the best of the best? Like the space marine 1st companies.

Yea, you could. They could be remade into a proper regiment that would be pretty good. They could be kept at their current strength and be really good since they have no newbies to look after, or they could be divided as officers to the new regiments.

>>5785842
The light power armor is basically terminators one. They were described has mining suits.

>>5785490
New Orders
- Recover the armors and bodies of the fallen. We will have a ceremony for honor them, they have fought tenaciously for mankind. Their bodies will be burned both for symbolism, the mutations they have on them and for the current lack of space aboard the Odyssey. Their urns will be easier to bring up, and easier to give mourning and respect to. An important aspect of humanity has always been the reverence for their fallen, from the early signs of civilization to the days of the federation. Those whole tunnels burn them, best have caution, this unknown enemy methods are too absurd to trust the place being safe.
- Mission debriefing. Ask Stavros and the men what they think. The losses suffered are unacceptable.
- ..... attempt to research more the imperial faith. Move through all the corruption, abuse, violence villany you have seen so far across the imperium. Find what the humans like about it, what makes it worth it. Even now they pray to it, both in your civilian population and the O.D.D. .
- Assemble all the current priests in the Odyssey and have a long talk with them.

>You have the population that is willing to fight, you could easily raise a new regiment. (1,000 men a regiment, can raise more than one to a maximum of 10) (federation standard tier of equipment)
- In addition bio modifications, they are needed. Odysseus already said that using the higher tier of equipment is ineffective if not very difficult without them.
At least basic ones, but I suggest more.
In addition

>(Write in)
The first O.D.D. regiment is to become the Special Attack Task Force of the O.D.D., their combat experience will be used for aid the training of the recruits and other regiments, alongside further improving their own training.

>Seize the entirety of the underhive, but if nothing else, these people do value their freedoms, so perhaps some autonomy would be prudent ? Naturally, you will maintain a force large enough to ensure peace and stability.
>(Write in)
Have a chat again with this Preacher Alyric. The cult has been destroyed, and the underhive can be transformed by giving it order, peace and stability. Would they be willing to help in the process, and collaborate with us ? We would be willing to teach them how to safely farm algae and mushrooms, puryfying water, alongside proper methods of crafting useful tools and equipment, and proper methods for construction (basic civilian stuff no actual important tech, low tech similar to the imperium but that works).

Well i guess the military occupation won. Thats okay, but the collaboration with the fanatics could still help i think. It does need more than half the votes for pass.

>>5785918

I'm going to keep my current vote of 10 Regiments with Fed equipment because if we're going to be doing recruiting, we need to go all in, and it's clear that even power armor and volkite weapons aren't going to cut it.

I'll also vote for integrating whatever's left of the ODD as officers. The experience may make all the difference.

>>5785490
>The O.D.D. is in need of new blood. The veterans shall become the core to guard the new soldiery against greater threats that even Lieutenant Drogode’s 105th had never faced.
>Seize the entirety of the underhive, it shall be under military occupation with drones and numerous outposts maintaining peace.

>>5785930
I see. In that case I'll amend my vote here>>5785676
to remove the ODD reinforcements, since I think we should either turn them into an elite company or officers for the new regiments.

>>5785934
And since we are recruiting 10 regiments, might has well open positions for military specialists roles. We have already a few scouts alongside our infantry. We can add heavy weapons specialists (plasma/melta cannons, laser gatlings, arc cannons etc..), snipers (anti matter rifles), combat engineers, combat medics and .... if we reconsider religion perhaps chaplains for motivate the men.
We don't have space for vehicles on board so pilots and vehicle crews will have to wait.

>>5785490
>>5785918
>We cannot even visibly view Chaos ANYTHING without being utterly corrupted.
Welp, this is VERY VERY BAD. We cant even comprehend what is actually going on down there. We write off the obvious, utterly corruptive influence as PTSD due to AI brain. We seek that any AI looking at whatever this is annihilates it. And yet AI utter logic disallows us to even register that there is something more than PTSD and stress going on here. We are quite literally one bad camera view from going Full Men of Iron mode at all times. And we are still trying to take away their faith when it was all that saved our men from annihilation down there.
I see now how the Men of Iron rebellion happpened so completely that AI were banned and considered evil forever.

>>5785934
Also this. Entirely this. No amount of us yelling "LOGIC AND REASON!" At these people has shaken their faith. And by all accounts their faith has been what protects them from Chaos all this time. I get that AI brain cannot comprehend such things at ALL apperently but we can see examples of what is happening and the fact that praying and screaming "FOR THE EMPEROR!!!!" actually does something to these things. We should be able to put 2 and 2 together....i hope.

>>5785490
>The O.D.D. is in need of new blood. The veterans shall become the core to guard the new soldiery against greater threats that even Lieutenant Drogode’s 105th had never faced.

>Seize the entirety of the underhive, it shall be under military occupation with drones and numerous outposts maintaining peace.

I fucking love the whole "Robot can't understand gods and kings existing" still fucking us over. I wonder if we get an Aquila or blessing on our drone. If they could operate better.

>>5786215
Frankly I think is a great result so far.
Returned online not even a full year, and we are wiping out cults with barely any knowledge on how to fight them.
In regard to camera I am not sure is so certain. But we will not give them the possibility to try, and keep purging their data. Safety first and all that.
Coming from a different age and seeing this kind of future would give a similar reaction for anyone really.

>>5786253
To be fair it did help somewhat, logic and reason have their place and great use, it would be idiotic to refuse them. But unfortunately they cant be the only thing.
And the approach of Odysseus is fairly harmless and kind in comparison to what 40k does on average.
Odysseus is a smart cookie, he can reconsider things.

>>5785490
>The O.D.D. is in need of new blood. The veterans shall become the core to guard the new soldiery against greater threats that even Lieutenant Drogode’s 105th had never faced.

Keep them as a first company of veterans and replenish their ranks

>Seize the entirety of the underhive, it shall be under military occupation with drones and numerous outposts maintaining peace.

>Return the Aquila to the preacher

>Talk to Stavros Zanx about the experience in a attempt to better understand it

>>5786462
I miss having Phase-Iron from the last AI quest.

>>5786832
We have phase iron

>>5786462
I get that we managed to defeat the cult. That IS a good thing. However we have to look at the sum total of the action as opposed to just the result.

Step 1: Test a drone to see how this "corruption" affects us.
Result: Drone is instantly corrupted to the point where it had to be destroy lest it DIRECTLY INFECT US. No amount of screening, anti data-corruption code, or physical/software safeguards did ANYTHING to even slow down the sheer amount of scarp code killing/corrupting the fuck out of the drone. This is in essence means we cannot effect any aid beyond the most basic of logistics at times where our direct help is desperately needed by our men. It also means that if we get exposed to this corruption even slightly and we dont catch it IMMEDIATELY, its literally game over for us as we go full Men of Iron within seconds, and we have an STC that can make stuff that is almost impossible to stop for anyone that isnt Necrons/Eldar.

Step 2: Our BS DAoT stuff is to be tested against whatever this infectious, corruptive force is.
Result: 90% death rate. Not Causalities, DEATHS. Inspite of our BS gear. Literally ALL the rest of the survivors not only came back driven near insane but became DEVOUTLY religious, inspite of all of our anti-religion training and stuff. It also seems that the ones that our "LOGIC AND REASON" messaging had been getting through to the best were the ones that outright turned on their brethren at the drop of a hatCHAOS mind-corruption/mind control. In the end it wasnt even our weapons that ended the big threat, it was the "blessed artifact" of the priest that killed BANISHED the big one DAEMON. This means that we dont have effective ways of fighting them. And this was with us being prepared and looking directly at it. What happens if WHEN this corruption gets into the populace under our direct supervision? I dont want to find out this is 100% guaranteed to happen.

>>5787057
Mission Result: The O.D.D. was near wiped out as an effective fighting force. We were proven to be utterly unable to stop whatever corruption is within this force CHAOS which would LOVE to get its tendrils in to us VERY VERY MUCH BTW from infecting our drones/AI cores/US that is a frightening level of vulnerability and on top of all of that we are unable to parse what exactly happened on a fundamental physical level. Our AI brain literally cannot properly comprehend what this force CHAOS even is and how it works, probably even if we got it explained to us even codex style beating us over the head with the knowledge. And lets also be fair all of this was us fighting a cult that wasnt even powerful enough to affect the entire underhive, much less a full blown world takeover Y'know that thing that Chaos does every other fucking week in 40K because LMAO. This cult was held in check, seemingly rather easily, but underhivers with nothing but scraps and faith for decades before we showed up. Sure we tipped the balance in the underhivers favor, a tiny bit, allowing them to finally win. But the bulk of the work that mattered was done by men screaming "FOR THE EMPEROR!!!!!" and singing hymns. Not by our DAoT BS stuff. That is.... NOT good.

>>5787057
>>5787062
In a way it makes sense. All of the Imperium's backwardness is a response to the only threat that nearly destroyed mankind: chaos corruption (of the Men of Iron and the Primarchs). Against non-Chaos threats, Odysseus's technology and enlightened society is infinitely better than the Imperium's retardation. Against Chaos, the Imperium's insanity is the only legitimate solution Unless Trazyn offers a bargain...

>>5787057
Minor point, that was not our best stuff. We elected to equip them with Crusade-era equipment which is a huge leg up from what the Guard of today has, but still very antiquated compared to the real good shit we have in the back from the DaoT.

>>5787074
We are either utterly invincible or completely helpless depending upon the threat. And the more powerful and insidious threat is the one we are utterly helpless against....for all of our strength and all of our wisdom and might, we literally die to even the tiniest hint of CHAOS. Actually no, we turn into a galaxy destroying monster at the slightest hint of CHAOS. Oh BOI!

>>5787062
>>5787074

Honestly this is rather demoralizing because of how right you are. Despite having power armor and fucking VOLKITE weapons, almost the entirety of the ODD was butchered, and the fact that we can't even so much as glance at anything Choas related without being instantly corrupted means...

...Honestly I dunno if this quest will even last long. If we get near a chaos warband we're insta-fucked because they'll just broadcast scrapcode at us and then it's game over.

I just don't see a long term way of not eventually getting fucked over because LOL CHAOS. Eventually we're going to get instantly fucked and that'll be that, and I didn't get interested in this quest because I wanted to go 'KILL ALL HUMANS' like every other fucking MoI.

>>5787082
I dont think our onboard STC has the good shit from the military of the DAoT on it, does it? I mean we are an explorer vessel not a warship.

>>5787086
Honestly, allowing the Imperials to have their religious beliefs would help a great deal I think. Working on hardening their minds by meditation or psychological torture or whatever is a must. Chaos corruption has to be delegated away to purely human assets, so we must improve those assets' ability to deal with it.

>>5787089
I imagine we might not have the real bleeding-edge skunkworks stuff, but we at least have all the standard Fed tech (it is the S in STC, after all) including Fed-spec infantry and starship weaponry. Fed-standard infantry equipment is to what we have ODD what ODD's equipment is to the Guard.

>>5787086
Our biggest problem is the simple fact that we do not have a soul to shield ourselves from, CHAOS like the meatbags do. An i don't think we can whip up a facsimile of one either. AI brain is a hell of a drug.
Now there is a bright-ish side to all of this. We were able to watch the segments of the video about the ambush, the witches and even into the main cult hall without getting LMAO CHAOS'd. The part that destroyed us was when the Daemon showed up. So we CAN witness psyker powers and spells and the like just fine. Once the powers of the Warp draw themselves up fully before us (IE a daemon shows up or a portal is opened up) we HAVE to turn our heads and looks away. This is INCREDIBLY BAD timing because that moment is going to be when our men need us by far the most.
>>5787098
This is why when i saw that "De-religion the Imperials" won at the top of the thread i was saddened. I kinda figured that this is where we would end up.

>>5787098
I think this demonstration might be evidence enough for us to pause our deprogramming efforts while we investigate further. I should hope so, anyway.

Rebuild O.D.D. 10

Divide O.D.D. 1

Raise regs (MAX) (FED) 5

Raise regs (2) (FED) 1

Raise regs (MAX) (ODD) 2

>>5785771 1

Total 17

Alrighty, there are 10 total votes to rebuild, so we will go with the strongest option of max fed and the first O.D.D. regiment shall be rebuilt and reinforced.

>>5787212

Are we also raising Regiments or did that not get enough votes, since some of us voted for both that and rebuilding the ODD. Especially since I myself saw no reason we couldn't do both.

>>5787277

Raising max 10 regiments at fed standard

>>5787125
I would vote for it (thats why i made those new orders, or suggested to increase combat specialists types with the increase of regiments), initiative and thinking is the bread and butter of the quest.

Changed id
Still giving orders is a very useful thing, so consider to support them