Sea of Stars - IC III

[Destro_Yersul]

"They are bohdar sleehr, they no longer listen to us." Another of the wraiths spoke this time, and the center one deferred to it. This one had a higher pitch to its voice, though it was still raspy and hoarse, and its form was more slender. Once, she had likely been female.

"The warp has taken them. They..." she waved the suggestion of a hand. "No. We cannot help with them. They will try to defend the Potentiality Engine, keep it running and powered, if they are still following their original directives."

"I believe they are." This from the third. "Though the sha'eil to'innte has altered their methods. The ...'wraiths,'" he pronounced the word with some distaste, "as you call them. Your Astropaths are inferior mon'keigh, but still psykers. They would bear an excess of energy in their minds that could be siphoned to fuel the Engine."

The female Eldar spoke again. "The Engine exacts its price for use. You have seen its power firsthand."

Spoiler: Anika Only

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Bohdar Sleehr: The wraiths have an imbalance in the energies between their physical and material selves, causing them to lose further touch with the world around them. They are difficult to communicate with, let alone influence, even for a skilled Warlock.

Sha'eil to'innte: Warp energy and/or daemons have used influence to twist words, following the letter of the commands given but not the spirit. Think monkey's paw style wishes.

[PotatoGolem]

What is the purpose of this machine? Surely it can't just have been to generate grand illusions. Who, for that matter, are you?

[Blarghy]

"It is their it is Prognosticator Prognosticator, Lord-Commander Commander," Kennoch explained; his tone shifted high and low from the pain in his head. His whole body, really. Even his bones hurt.

"Like Lady Vanhal's device Lady Vanhal, but more powerful more and more accurate and. But the Warp Warp the Warp has turned it has into something more something. Our first voyage first was no prediction no or past vision past, but physical travel travel to centuries ago ago. Only after we after entered the door the door beneath the tower tower the tower did we use we it as intended intended, if clumsily if."

Echo moved closer to the Astropaths, placing his body between them and the ghostly Eldar. "But of course of course, we must destroy it we must to safeguard the planet safeguard. I have felt I have its diabolical will its. Hate and hunger hate hunger, waiting in the dark the dark to consume passing travelers consume. Whatever the Engine the Engine used to be to be, it is now now only a vessel only for the Ruinous Powers Ruinous Powers."

Behind the fog of fatigue, the pain, and his concern for the Astropaths, Kennoch's thoughts drew to Ahriman. Few would have more psychic energy to steal. Was that what drew you here? Not the Emperor's plan, or a chance of fate, but the terrible coordination of Xeno and Chaos? The Engine is aware; I knew that as soon as I opened my Eye to the tower. Did it plan this?

[PotatoGolem]

Then destroy it we shall. We cannot allow such an abomination to operate.

He turns back to the Eldar. How was it originally supposed to be turned off or destroyed? I imagine it will be more durable now, but that is the logical starting point. The corrupted wraiths are another issue. They seem to move impossibly fast when not observed. Was this always part of their design, or a new perversion from the Warp?

[Haval]

Anika mentally translates some words. 'Better that they're dealt with then. Perhaps on some level they'll appreciate it.'

On the cost, 'Was the Engine designed for that in the first place? I suppose that explains what it's doing on a planet in the middle of nowhere. So to speak. Are you aware of how long you've been stuck here?'

[Destro_Yersul]

"It is not meant to be active, when not in use. It is being kept active."

"We cannot allow you to destroy the machine. It will be needed for Rhana Dandra."

"The design has been corrupted. The machine uses temporal energies to enhance its servants. It is their eyes and ears."

At Anika's question, the female ghost shook its wispy head. "It is not so long, for us. You perceive time differently."

"Your pardon, master Navis," Ahriman said to Echo. "You said that the first trip was real. It sent us back centuries, as a mere accident. A byproduct of its operation. What if it were directed? Could it return you to your time? Could it return me, to mine?"

[rax]

"If it's Warp-corrupted and not working the way it's supposed to, how are you going to use it for this Rhana Dandra?" Hannabel asks innocently.

[Haval]

To Hannabel, 'Perhaps they know how to clean it.'

To the Eldar, 'Well I suppose being dead would likely have that effect.'

After Ahriman speaks, 'I would like to know that as well. Our friend here seems to have brought here through your Engine.'

[Destro_Yersul]

"An interesting question," said the third ghost. "I have given much thought to this. It may be that its new functionality will be needed. The problem of the corruption remains, however."

"My... friend... speaks too much," said the middle one. "It is not a problem for Mon'keigh. Especially not ones who carry with them the stink of the one who brought this corruption in the first place. We have not forgotten."

"There is that," the female allowed. "Sending him back might cause irreparable damage to the weave of time."

"We considered that," Ahriman said. "I believe that if I have a chance to undo the mistakes of the past, I should take it."

"Arrogance!" The middle Eldar had raised its voice, as best it could. Its eyes glittered and burned. "Mon'keigh have always been arrogant. You play with things you do not understand, you are like children!"

[rax]

"Hang on!" Hannabel interrupted. "Are you saying that he" - she pointed at Ahriman - "corrupted your engine?"

[Destro_Yersul]

"Of course not," the Farseer rasped imperiously. "Even assisted, he would not have the mental strength to form a projection strong enough to shatter the webway. It was his progenitor."

[Blarghy]

"Arrogance Arrogance?" Kennoch asked the Farseer scornfully. "You protect you a corrupted device corrupted given over to Chaos over! Because you believe you you might still somehow might use it for for your own ends your own. How how how, if I may ask I may? You appear to be you appear little more than little wind and words and. How will you how bend it again again to your will your will?"

His eyes narrowed, and he added more quietly, "How will you will prevent us from us doing what is necessary is what is?"

Concerning Ahriman, Echo looked unsure. "I am unconvinced I am the Engine would cooperate the Engine. It has it has its own desires now now, and I doubt I doubt they mirror ours they. Would you bargain would you with this demon demon this demon? Would you force it would you? How how how how?"

The young Navis watched him closely, though his eyes watered from pain. Is it possible?

[Haval]

"My... friend... speaks too much," said the middle one. "It is not a problem for Mon'keigh. Especially not ones who carry with them the stink of the one who brought this corruption in the first place. We have not forgotten."

'I'd say it's a problem for us if we're stuck in here wouldn't you?'

"There is that," the female allowed. "Sending him back might cause irreparable damage to the weave of time."

Anika grinned broadly as if she'd caught them out in a mistake, 'And leaving him here wouldn't?'

"Arrogance!" The middle Eldar had raised its voice, as best it could. Its eyes glittered and burned. "Mon'keigh have always been arrogant. You play with things you do not understand, you are like children!"

'Well if others didn't leave such things lying around. There's far too much chance of accidents and misunderstandings.'

The mention of a Progenitor did surprise her. 'Assuming you don't mean the actual Emperor, would that be...his Primarch?' Anika didn't think they could get into any more trouble here but Magnus the Red would certainly count. After a pause, 'I take it this wasn't recent.'

"Arrogance Arrogance?" Kennoch asked the Farseer scornfully. "You protect you a corrupted device corrupted given over to Chaos over! Because you believe you you might still somehow might use it for for your own ends your own. How how how, if I may ask I may? You appear to be you appear little more than little wind and words and. How will you how bend it again again to your will your will?"

His eyes narrowed, and he added more quietly, "How will you will prevent us from us doing what is necessary is what is?"

Concerning Ahriman, Echo looked unsure. "I am unconvinced I am the Engine would cooperate the Engine. It has it has its own desires now now, and I doubt I doubt they mirror ours they. Would you bargain would you with this demon demon this demon? Would you force it would you? How how how how?"

The young Navis watched him closely, though his eyes watered from pain. Is it possible?

'I can't say what the ghosts of a trio of Eldar psykers might be capable of but I wouldn't want to make any assumptions.' Anika appears supremely unruffled by the idea.

'As for negotiating with it, whose to say we have to deal with it honestly? If we can get out of here it's not like it'll be able to follow us.'

[Destro_Yersul]

"Arrogance Arrogance?" Kennoch asked the Farseer scornfully. "You protect you a corrupted device corrupted given over to Chaos over! Because you believe you you might still somehow might use it for for your own ends your own. How how how, if I may ask I may? You appear to be you appear little more than little wind and words and. How will you how bend it again again to your will your will?"

His eyes narrowed, and he added more quietly, "How will you will prevent us from us doing what is necessary is what is?"

"Do not presume to speak to me of the great enemy! We have fought chaos since before your ancestors crawled from the muck."

If Balthanil was dismissive, Aegwaeyn seemed at least marginally more receptive. Or at least, happier to provide answers.

"Our people will need it, even if we are gone. Protecting what we have now against the need of future generations has been our way for a very long time."

'I do not expect you to understand," the Farseer said. "Do not think me powerless in death, Ceiba-ny-shak."

Concerning Ahriman, Echo looked unsure. "I am unconvinced I am the Engine would cooperate the Engine. It has it has its own desires now now, and I doubt I doubt they mirror ours they. Would you bargain would you with this demon demon this demon? Would you force it would you? How how how how?"

The young Navis watched him closely, though his eyes watered from pain. Is it possible?

"If this is similar to what my Legion encountered before, there will be a source. A gateway. Something that can be shut off, or closed," Ahriman said. He flexed one armoured hand into a massive fist. "It would be dangerous, I have no doubt. Beyond that, there are ways to compel co-operation. Yes. I would force it, if necessary."

'I'd say it's a problem for us if we're stuck in here wouldn't you?'

"If you want to leave, that can be arranged," the Farseer hissed.

Anika grinned broadly as if she'd caught them out in a mistake, 'And leaving him here wouldn't?'

"There is that," Caerdavar said. "Beyond me to say for sure."

Balthanil's shade crossed its ghostly arms, tilting its head to the side and speaking only to the Bonesinger. "Fhaisorr'ko. Comasach a r'adh. Mon'keigh griosar iad'uile."

The mention of a Progenitor did surprise her. 'Assuming you don't mean the actual Emperor, would that be...his Primarch?' Anika didn't think they could get into any more trouble here but Magnus the Red would certainly count. After a pause, 'I take it this wasn't recent.'

"That's your word for them," Aegwaeyn confirmed. "There were ripple effects, from what he did. Waves created thousands of your generations ago, to lap like breakers on our shores."

Spoiler: Anika Only

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Ceiba-ny-shak: A curse or insult. Something fairly harsh, by Eldar standards, though Anika doesn't know the exact translation.

Fhaisorr'ko. Comasach a r'adh. Mon'keigh griosar iad'uile: Somewhat more complicated. The phrases have individual meanings, but taken together, the Farseer is saying that you've created a nexus decision point that it is impossible to see beyond, possibly already triggered a paradox, and in general are stupid humans who blunder about breaking things without thinking about what you're doing or considering the consequences.

[Blarghy]

"My worry my," he told Anika, "is that Daemons Daemons Daemons are notoriously untrustworthy are. It would surely expect surely us to lie us, as it would it would. Promise to send promise us home home, and then create then a gateway to gateway the worst pits the worst of the Immaterium the Immaterium."

After sparing a sneer for the Farseer--his hatred and distrust of the Xenos was only growing by the minute--Echo's attention drew back to Ahriman. Hope and concern went to war. He'd be a fool to trust the Engine, to deal faithfully and expect it to do the same, but if Ahriman could ensure cooperation through some form of dominance, then perhaps...

And then if we are successful, when we are aboard our ship and supported by the might of the Imperium once again, then we will see how haughty these damned ghosts are, in the face of bombardments and sanctioned psykers. Yes. We will see, then.

Kennoch clicked his teeth and slowly replied, "If you believe you believe you are capable you are you are... The Absalom Dynasty Absalom needs their lord needs. Too many ships too many have gone dark dark above this world this. And Port Wander Port must not fall must not to Quinn or Misson Quinn Misson. Yes yes yes. I will support you I will."

It is best to destroy the agents of Chaos, of course. Of course. But in this one instance, we can use it first for our own ends, so that we may continue to serve the Emperor. He would understand. Of course. Of course. We will turn its energy to good, before destroying it. That is difficult and dangerous, but reasonable. Of course.

[rax]

"So, just to get things straight in my bubbly little airhead... Magnus the Red, almighty Primarch of the Thousand Sons, broke something and that led to your engine being corrupted by the Ruinous Powers. We've actually travelled back in time to when it made the astropaths disappear. The engine now has a will of its own and a sense of self-preservation."

"You three," she pointed at the Eldar spirits, "are dead, but somehow you're still hanging around here doing...what exactly? I mean it's lovely that you're here to fill in the blanks for us, but what do you do when you're not having visitors? It doesn't sound to me like any of you can control the engine, so how are you going to make it work for you in the future? Do any of your kin even know it's still here and that you're...watching over it?"

"You two," she pointed at Echo and Ahriman, "want to use the machine to send us back to our proper times. That's a grand idea and I fully support it, because the novelty of this situation is wearing thin. What I'm hearing though, is that bargaining with the beast is a ridiculous gamble, and our other option is to beat it over its metaphorical head until it agrees to send us back. Sounds like a tall order to me either way, even if you are one o' the God Emperor's Angels of Death."

"I'm just wondering, but aren't we all in agreement that we shouldn't be here? Is there any particular reason we can't work together to send us back where we came from? It sure sounds to me like that would improve the chances of success quite significantly," Hannabel interjects breezily.

[Haval]

Balthanil's shade crossed its ghostly arms, tilting its head to the side and speaking only to the Bonesinger. "Fhaisorr'ko. Comasach a r'adh. Mon'keigh griosar iad'uile."

Anika will address Balthanil directly, 'Regardless of anything we might have broken, the consequences of us not coming back here will only be more people being sent to investigate this place. If we get out at least we can spread the word that coming down here will likely be a death sentence for most people.'

"That's your word for them," Aegwaeyn confirmed. "There were ripple effects, from what he did. Waves created thousands of your generations ago, to lap like breakers on our shores."

'I suppose if anyone would be capable of that.'

"My worry my," he told Anika, "is that Daemons Daemons Daemons are notoriously untrustworthy are. It would surely expect surely us to lie us, as it would it would. Promise to send promise us home home, and then create then a gateway to gateway the worst pits the worst of the Immaterium the Immaterium."

'Well I wouldn't recommend walking through any gates. I'd just like to keep our options open. If our friend can force it that works for me.'

"You three," she pointed at the Eldar spirits, "are dead, but somehow you're still hanging around here doing...what exactly? I mean it's lovely that you're here to fill in the blanks for us, but what do you do when you're not having visitors? It doesn't sound to me like any of you can control the engine, so how are you going to make it work for you in the future? Do any of your kin even know it's still here and that you're...watching over it?"

'I would quite like to know that as well. There are rumours of Eldar in the Expanse. I don't suppose you're able to call them?'

[PotatoGolem]

Macharius seems much cheered by Ahriman's declaration. Excellent news, Lord Ahriman! If you have encountered such things in the past and prevailed, this will be much simpler. I suppose from our perspective it was very much in the past, hoho!

"I'm just wondering, but aren't we all in agreement that we shouldn't be here? Is there any particular reason we can't work together to send us back where we came from? It sure sounds to me like that would improve the chances of success quite significantly," Hannabel interjects breezily.

Mutual distrust and loathing, of course! Macharius answers brightly. The Eldar notoriously have nothing but contempt and hatred for Mankind, while we of course have no reason to trust the word of a race famed across the galaxy for perfidy and treachery. now, while they are vile xenos and their works abominable witchcraft, they are capable of some rational thought, and, as a Rogue Trader, I am one of the few permitted to have dealings with them other than through violent extermination. So, I suppose an accord is technically possible, if both sides were willing to set aside their hatred. Temporarily, of course. It's not good to stop hating altogether, hoho!

[rax]

"Hatred's a fine motivator, but if we're all agreed that whatever corrupted this engine is the real enemy, then we'd all be proper ignoramuses for not seeing that the enemy of one's enemy can be a friend," Hannabel answered with a shrug.

[Haval]

"Hatred's a fine motivator, but if we're all agreed that whatever corrupted this engine is the real enemy, then we'd all be proper ignoramuses for not seeing that the enemy of one's enemy can be a friend," Hannabel answered with a shrug.

'My thoughts exactly.'

[Leon]

++Machines needed for important tasks should be maintained, this one is is in dire need of care if its to used for some function at a later stage++

[Destro_Yersul]

"So, just to get things straight in my bubbly little airhead... Magnus the Red, almighty Primarch of the Thousand Sons, broke something and that led to your engine being corrupted by the Ruinous Powers. We've actually travelled back in time to when it made the astropaths disappear. The engine now has a will of its own and a sense of self-preservation."

"You three," she pointed at the Eldar spirits, "are dead, but somehow you're still hanging around here doing...what exactly? I mean it's lovely that you're here to fill in the blanks for us, but what do you do when you're not having visitors? It doesn't sound to me like any of you can control the engine, so how are you going to make it work for you in the future? Do any of your kin even know it's still here and that you're...watching over it?"

"It's... extremely complicated," Aegwaeyn said. "Especially if you can't sense the empyreal harmonics. The short and comprehensible version is that we spend a lot of time dreaming."

"If they don't know we're here now," Caerdavar put in, "then we will be discovered when the time is right."

The Farseer glowered at them both.

"You two," she pointed at Echo and Ahriman, "want to use the machine to send us back to our proper times. That's a grand idea and I fully support it, because the novelty of this situation is wearing thin. What I'm hearing though, is that bargaining with the beast is a ridiculous gamble, and our other option is to beat it over its metaphorical head until it agrees to send us back. Sounds like a tall order to me either way, even if you are one o' the God Emperor's Angels of Death."

"I'm just wondering, but aren't we all in agreement that we shouldn't be here? Is there any particular reason we can't work together to send us back where we came from? It sure sounds to me like that would improve the chances of success quite significantly," Hannabel interjects breezily.

"It will by no means be easy," Ahriman agreed. "I must examine the machine first, determine what we are dealing with and how best to manage it."

"You shouldn't be here," Balthanil said. "You should never have come."

Anika will address Balthanil directly, 'Regardless of anything we might have broken, the consequences of us not coming back here will only be more people being sent to investigate this place. If we get out at least we can spread the word that coming down here will likely be a death sentence for most people.'

The Farseer seemed taken aback, for a moment, by the fact that Anika seemed to have understood what he was saying. He recovered rapidly enough, though. "Typical. You poke the hive, and the ants swarm out, waving their mandibles. You expect me to believe that you'll warn the rest of your kind off?"

Mutual distrust and loathing, of course! Macharius answers brightly. The Eldar notoriously have nothing but contempt and hatred for Mankind, while we of course have no reason to trust the word of a race famed across the galaxy for perfidy and treachery. now, while they are vile xenos and their works abominable witchcraft, they are capable of some rational thought, and, as a Rogue Trader, I am one of the few permitted to have dealings with them other than through violent extermination. So, I suppose an accord is technically possible, if both sides were willing to set aside their hatred. Temporarily, of course. It's not good to stop hating altogether, hoho!

"You have a very strange outlook, Mon'keigh," Aegwaeyn said. "We do not hate you. Most of us." She glanced at Balthanil. "We are frustrated by you. By your inability to approach common ground. To stop fighting amongst yourselves even when it is important or necessary. By your hatred of us. You would find us far more willing to treat with you if you stopped insisting on 'violent extermination.'"

[Blarghy]

"You have a very strange outlook, Mon'keigh," Aegwaeyn said. "We do not hate you. Most of us." She glanced at Balthanil. "We are frustrated by you. By your inability to approach common ground. To stop fighting amongst yourselves even when it is important or necessary. By your hatred of us. You would find us far more willing to treat with you if you stopped insisting on 'violent extermination.'"

"Do not pretend do not that our aggression our is one-sided is one," Echo protested. "You Eldar have you destroyed our ships our and raided our colonies raided, abducting and tormenting tormenting for time for time out of mind out. We came here we came for Humanity's interests for Humanity's, to protect our people our people from a mysterious threat from. Not to interfere not in some Xenos business in some, but to prevent but to loss of life loss. You did not did not free our Astropaths free or protect the voidfarers protect stolen over generations stolen. Did you mourn them did you, when your Engine your devoured them alive devoured? Our interests our do not interest you do not do not, so why should we why treat you better treat?"

He folded his arms--why did they ache? Why were his joints so sore--and concluded, "But if an if alliance of convenience alliance suits the Lord-Commander suits, then so be it so be."

A temporary one, anyway. And then we shall see. Yes.

Spoiler

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For clarity, I don't think Echo would know the difference between Craftworld Eldar and the Corsairs. Not that he is likely to care at this particular stage in his philosophy. Nonetheless, he's willing to go cooperate for the time being, if Macharius and Anika are successful in arranging it.

Still secretly plans on trying to wreck the Engine after we get what we want, though.

[Haval]

The Farseer seemed taken aback, for a moment, by the fact that Anika seemed to have understood what he was saying. He recovered rapidly enough, though. "Typical. You poke the hive, and the ants swarm out, waving their mandibles. You expect me to believe that you'll warn the rest of your kind off?"

Anika will smile and not explain her knowledge of the Eldar language. 'I have no interest in seeing more people die down here. Other then the fact that they already built an installation on the planet I'm not sure what the value is of having it crewed.' She'll frown, 'But it's not as if I can keep everyone away. What would happen if humanity did try to come here in force?'

"You have a very strange outlook, Mon'keigh," Aegwaeyn said. "We do not hate you. Most of us." She glanced at Balthanil. "We are frustrated by you. By your inability to approach common ground. To stop fighting amongst yourselves even when it is important or necessary. By your hatred of us. You would find us far more willing to treat with you if you stopped insisting on 'violent extermination.'"

'I don't actually disagree with any of that. The problem is that, short of the Emperor decidng to walk among us again, there is very little to unite us.'

Spoiler: ooc

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Some Lore rolls before I work out how to make this arguement
Forbidden Lore (Xenos) vs. Int 53 (+10 Talented)
(1d100)[45]

Scholastic Lore (Legend) or (Archaic) as appropriate
vs. Int 53
(1d100)[2]

[PotatoGolem]

"Friend" is rather overselling it, what? However, I do believe we can reach an agreement for mutual benefit.

Macharius turns back to the Eldar. I understand that you are opposed to disabling the machine. However, we must face facts. It has been corrupted by Chaos, that much is clear. The wraiths we encountered were like unto daemons, and you yourselves admit the corruption. Just as clearly, you yourselves cannot cleanse the corruption, else you would have done so. Further, your kinsmen are not coming to cleanse it, or they would have come in the long centuries since.

Therefore, the choice is not really between keeping the engine for the needs of your people or casting aside a valuable tool. The choice is whether to protect and nurture a seed of Chaos, or whether to extirpate it. You say you have long fought the Ruinous Powers. Then you know what will inevitably happen if you do not cut out this cancer. It will spread, and it will infect you as well. Perhaps not now, perhaps not in the next hundred years. But at some point, you will be corrupted by this darkness. And when your descendants come to claim it, they will claim only their doom. If you keep this tainted power, it will fight in the last battle, but not for the Eldar. It will be a weapon for the great enemy. You will be a weapon for the Enemy.

Answer me this truthfully, Eldar. Are you so certain of your incorruptibility? So sure that you can dwell with a power that has twisted countless minds and souls, Men and Eldar alike, that has already corrupted your guardians, and not have it poison your own hearts? Are you so absolutely certain that you would wager the last battle, wager the souls of all your people? Because if you refuse this chance and you are wrong, if you waver for but a moment between now and the end of the galaxy, you do not just doom yourselves, nor do you bring about only the death of your people. No, you would consign them to a fate worse than any death: eternal servitude to the Ruinous Powers.

Spoiler: OOC

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Charm (1d100)[7] vs 72 (102-30). My FL was almost certainly not good enough to help.

[Destro_Yersul]

"Do not pretend do not that our aggression our is one-sided is one," Echo protested. "You Eldar have you destroyed our ships our and raided our colonies raided, abducting and tormenting tormenting for time for time out of mind out. We came here we came for Humanity's interests for Humanity's, to protect our people our people from a mysterious threat from. Not to interfere not in some Xenos business in some, but to prevent but to loss of life loss. You did not did not free our Astropaths free or protect the voidfarers protect stolen over generations stolen. Did you mourn them did you, when your Engine your devoured them alive devoured? Our interests our do not interest you do not do not, so why should we why treat you better treat?"

He folded his arms--why did they ache? Why were his joints so sore--and concluded, "But if an if alliance of convenience alliance suits the Lord-Commander suits, then so be it so be."

A temporary one, anyway. And then we shall see. Yes.

"The Druchii, or the corsairs. Do you judge all of humanity by those who have fallen to chaos?"

Anika will smile and not explain her knowledge of the Eldar language. 'I have no interest in seeing more people die down here. Other then the fact that they already built an installation on the planet I'm not sure what the value is of having it crewed.' She'll frown, 'But it's not as if I can keep everyone away. What would happen if humanity did try to come here in force?'

"They would become ensnared by the engine, as you have. Or they would perish. Something protects your ship from the attentions of the bohdar sleehr, but you are unique in that respect amongst every other ship that has been here."

---

The three Eldar listened to Macharius' argument. They had no easily readable expressions, and even if they did who could tell what was going through their alien minds? They were not shouting, or objecting, however, and when Macharius had finished speaking the Farseer bowed his head.

"There is no worse fate than being taken by Sai'lanthresh. Do you even... no, of course you could not know. Yet you speak truly."

He straightened. "I must insist that you attempt to preserve as much of the engine as you can. We have limited control, in this state. We can open the way for you, but no more."

"There is a way to limit the damage," Caerdavar said. "Your tall friend is correct, there is a gate. A source from which the breath of sha'eil pours forth. If you destroy the gate, you will cut the flow of corruption. It should make your task easier."

They rested their hands on the podiums at which they stood. Gemstones placed around the hall began to glow, and a keening, ghostly noise filled the room, ethereal and beautiful. The floor rumbled, and it took Anika a moment to realise what was happening; the Eldar were singing. She couldn't follow the lyrics, which pitched up and down, at times soft, and at others almost a wail. Sometimes there seemed to be no lyrics at all, merely nonsense words, something beyond her understanding of the language. As they sang, the room changed. The arches shifted, elongated. Mist rose from the floor, drifting around their feet, but coming no more than knee-high.

When the song stopped, the lament ending on a single trailing note, there were two ways out of the room. One was to the left, and a glance down that hall confirmed that it led outside of the engine, to the cavern where they had first entered. The other led inwards, towards the heart of the machine.

[rax]

"I guess we go that way then," Hannabel says, pointing her carbine towards the heart of the machine.

[Haval]

"They would become ensnared by the engine, as you have. Or they would perish. Something protects your ship from the attentions of the bohdar sleehr, but you are unique in that respect amongst every other ship that has been here."

'How lucky for us. But that means that if we get out of here I'd say you ought to have nothing to worry about.'

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Anika will briefly interject after Macharius has finished. 'I can't speak from personal experience but from my understanding there have been numerous incidents where the Imperium and the Eldar have united against the Ruinous Powers. We don't need to be friends but we can be absolutely certain who our mutual enemy is.'

And then after the room changed, 'Breath of sha'eil? I don't like the sound of that. Can anything be done to limit the effects of breathing that in, so to speak?'