"They will send Father back to Nocturne," said Cassian Vaughn, the former commander of the 18th Legion.
"I will attend Him."
Nimrod nodded. He watched the escort frigate carrying Vulkan vanish beyond his sight, then turned and walked toward his office.
With a thought, the Space Apes in the First Layer Space of the Nation of Disorder immediately began moving, using the Data Slates of dead Tech-Priests and other potion ingredients to prepare five portions of Savant potion.
Nimrod arrived at the door and addressed the five people waiting there.
"Come in with me."
Barabas Dantioch, former Warsmith of the Iron Warriors; Great Sage Koriel Zeth and her Sage Apprentice Cant Polk; Iron Father Fret Samatica of the Iron Hands; and Sabik Wieland came before the broad desk.
"Lord Nimrod."
"Drink them." With a wave of Nimrod's hand, five bottles of icy blue potion landed on the desk.
All five were skilled in mechanics and suited to the Paragon Pathway.
Koriel eagerly picked up a potion and stared at the transparent brain-like mass within. It was covered in grooves, like a living brain grown in a cultivation tank.
"This is the source of Shadow of Order's special abilities?"
"The power You bestowed upon us."
Nimrod gave a slight nod and leaned back against the Throne.
"That's right. This is the secret you have always sought."
Koriel removed the cap and took a breath, intending to savor the potion slowly.
But the icy blue brain-like mass slid down her throat, filling it with a sweet, delicious taste.
The brain-like mass slipped into her stomach, and her Logic Engine exploded. Those memory buffers could contain no more; memories long buried beneath cold logic surfaced from below the iceberg.
Even information she had been unable to understand when she was merely an ordinary