The instant the data cable connected, the power of the Warp surged through it into Utio's skull like a flood bursting through a dam.
It was a violent Chaos energy that writhed like a living thing, carrying shrieks and whispers as it poured viciously through that slender data cable into Utio's processors.
Utio's body began to convulse violently. His many-legged mechanical frame flailed out of control, producing a piercing screech of grinding metal. Several mechanical arms lashed about in spasms, knocking a nearby workbench to the floor and scattering parts and tools with a clatter.
His head, modified beyond recognition, snapped backward. His sole remaining human eye rolled sharply up in its socket until only the white showed, looking especially horrifying amid the surrounding metal plates.
His mouth opened, releasing an inhuman scream that mingled electronic noise with a roar of flesh. It echoed through the empty room, penetrated the thick metal walls, and reached the corridor, making the passing Iron Hands warriors involuntarily stop in their tracks.
Ferrus Manus stood nearby. The instant the data cable entered Utio's skull, he had swiftly taken a step back, putting distance between them.
He folded his metal-forged arms across his chest and watched expressionlessly as Utio struggled in agony under the onslaught of Warp power.
His gaze was calm and indifferent, as though he were watching an experiment that had nothing to do with him, rather than a collaborator who had been speaking to him moments earlier suffering inhuman torment.
Sparks burst from Utio's data connection points. The ports connecting his skull to the data cable began to overload under the impact of Warp energy.
Blue electrical sparks sprayed from the gaps in the ports, crackling as they formed a flickering halo along the side of his skull.
The shrill noise of