At the main foundry of Diamond Star—Xanthus—Great Sage Arjoy wore the heavy robes of a Fabricator-General.
The robe was woven with gold and platinum thread, its patterns as intricate as integrated circuits.
His sleeves were wide, extending precisely to his elbows and displaying the exquisite craftsmanship of the Great Sage's bionic arms.
A pair of mechanical prosthetic eyes embedded in the muscles above glimmered with faint blue light as they stared at Per Koschelny, lord of the 11th regiment of the Shadow of Order.
"The Titan Foundry is an important asset of the Adeptus Mechanicus."
"Your attack will be regarded as an insult to the God of All Machines."
"Cease your attack at once and return our assets, or I will immediately lodge a complaint with the Council of Terra."
Per stared at Arjoy. "Arjoy, how did Fabricator-General Vetulus die?"
"The respected Great Sage Vetulus was killed thirteen point nine hours ago while coordinating the defense of the foundry," Arjoy said.
His plan had been hasty. He had learned from his former master, Vetulus, that just as the Sons of Horus were about to conquer the Forge World and he was about to take over Diamond Star, the Shadow of Order had arrived in planetary orbit.
He had decided to act immediately, seize control of the Forge World with his own strength, and then carry out the Warmaster's orders.
All of Vetulus's servants had been killed by the Skitarii loyal to him. No one could possibly know the truth.
"Do not think that the Fabricator-General's death means you can act as you please."
"As a senior member who survived the Council of Vetulus, I am now Diamond Star's acting Fabricator-General."
Data cables and coolant tubes on either side of Arjoy's steel throat trembled as he muttered a binary syllable.
Just