09-26-2015, 03:22 PM
Disappointing. Based on what Nealaphh had observed of the space marines' exploits in Coruscant, the God-Mind had been certain that they had discovered a secret way through the Empire's security. This was less than optimal; Nealaphh would have to find its own way into the depths of the perilous city; no small feat, considering the recent increase in security protocols. Still, there was no reason to let Okor know that it had been shortsighted in its pursuit of such details. Besides, Nealaphh had gained a powerful new ally for the Institute. This was enough to consider this detour a success. The shadow was withdrawn from its ruminations when Okor queried Nealaphh on when he should depart.
Let me be clear, Okor. It is not my intention to breed resentment between the two of us. If this championship is as truly revolting to you as it seems, I will not force you.
Okor stared at Nealaphh for a moment before offering a hoarse chuckle.
"Ehech...your concern is noted but... it is better to fight a pointless battle than...to shrink away from it. the immense soldier said, his intermittent breaths gurgling with the sound of unnamed ailments. Nealaphh narrowed its third eye; a sign of bemusement. It would have expected nothing less from its new attaché.
Very well. To be clear, I am instating you as Dean of the Security Branch. All pertinent information can be found on the AntiOmni dataverse site. For now, though, you have your task.
Okor nodded slowly and turned to begin his sojourn to the distant land of Camelot. Nealaphh watched as he trudged away, before looking down at Rebecca. The young girl beamed up at the shadow clinging to its enrobed leg like a puerile limpet. The god-mind pondered to itself for a moment; would the girl be better served if it were to send her along with the plague marine? Her mental programming would make her reluctant to do so, but Nealaphh did not want to risk her being abducted by the Empire.
At the same time, without her, Nealaphh would not easily be able to infiltrate Coruscant. It was a conundrum to be sure. Nealaphh thought long and hard about the decision, which, for a being such as itself, was a mere second. It would simply have to ask if Okor was even willing to do such a thing. In addition, there was one extraneous piece of information Nealaphh needed to get from the plague marine.
Okor. Hold a moment. I have two questions.
Okor said nothing, but simply looked back over his immense shoulder with a curious look in his milky eye.
What are your intentions for the artifact you acquired?
Nealaphh could feel faint stirrings of anxiety within the plague marine's neurons, but though he was a dangerous, tyrannical man, he was not one to rely on deception to meet his goals.
The Crown of Blackhand, in and of itself, is a mere trinket...but to certain orks of this land, it is an...item of of cultural power. He who carries the crown has the...unquestioning fealty of the ork tribes. I intend to utilize them..." the plague marine said slowly, suspicion brewing in his mind. Was the daemon going to try and claim the artifact from him? Forbid him from enacting his conquest? In truth, this was the best news Nealaphh had heard in some time. It was a solution to a problem which Nealaphh had difficulty solving, which was; how to control the Orcs of the Tangled Green?
For weeks, the God-Mind had been considering potential strategies for negotiationg or eradicating the host of verdant marauders, but this Crown was the key to the lock. Okor Paleblood would indeed have his orks, and have his conquest, but it Nealaphh would ensure it would be a conquest well outside of the Tangled Green. Perhaps to eradicate New Babylon, perhaps something else, but it would ultimately solve two problems at once. Now was not the time for pondering this scenario; there were too many unresolved variables.
Interesting. I look forward to it.
This seemed to act as a balm to the Plague Marine's troubled mind. It was reassuring to know that the daemon would not hold him to some sort of false moral standards. There was an unresolved thread to this conversation, however.
"...and the other question?"
Ah yes. Would you be willing to look after Rebecca for a time? I'm sure she would love to accompany you to the championship. If not, it is no trouble.
This caused Okor to turn around to face the shadow directly. An indistinct gurgling sound buzzed within his throat as he tried to find words. Did this daemon honestly expect him to babysit its pet human? What could it possibly expect from him in such a regard? At first, Okor was resolved to refuse the request outright, and perhaps even question their alleigance, but then...something stirred within the plague marine's fetid synapses. Something warm but...difficult to grasp. Sensations, fleeting echoes of forgotten conversations ran through his mind, begging to be remembered but coyishly dancing away from his recollection. A confused look cast itself upon his ghastly features, a mix of emotions that was...uncomfortable, to sat the least. The plague marine looked down at the otherworldly pair, with their mutually glowing eyes. Would it be so bad to have some company?
Let me be clear, Okor. It is not my intention to breed resentment between the two of us. If this championship is as truly revolting to you as it seems, I will not force you.
Okor stared at Nealaphh for a moment before offering a hoarse chuckle.
"Ehech...your concern is noted but... it is better to fight a pointless battle than...to shrink away from it. the immense soldier said, his intermittent breaths gurgling with the sound of unnamed ailments. Nealaphh narrowed its third eye; a sign of bemusement. It would have expected nothing less from its new attaché.
Very well. To be clear, I am instating you as Dean of the Security Branch. All pertinent information can be found on the AntiOmni dataverse site. For now, though, you have your task.
Okor nodded slowly and turned to begin his sojourn to the distant land of Camelot. Nealaphh watched as he trudged away, before looking down at Rebecca. The young girl beamed up at the shadow clinging to its enrobed leg like a puerile limpet. The god-mind pondered to itself for a moment; would the girl be better served if it were to send her along with the plague marine? Her mental programming would make her reluctant to do so, but Nealaphh did not want to risk her being abducted by the Empire.
At the same time, without her, Nealaphh would not easily be able to infiltrate Coruscant. It was a conundrum to be sure. Nealaphh thought long and hard about the decision, which, for a being such as itself, was a mere second. It would simply have to ask if Okor was even willing to do such a thing. In addition, there was one extraneous piece of information Nealaphh needed to get from the plague marine.
Okor. Hold a moment. I have two questions.
Okor said nothing, but simply looked back over his immense shoulder with a curious look in his milky eye.
What are your intentions for the artifact you acquired?
Nealaphh could feel faint stirrings of anxiety within the plague marine's neurons, but though he was a dangerous, tyrannical man, he was not one to rely on deception to meet his goals.
The Crown of Blackhand, in and of itself, is a mere trinket...but to certain orks of this land, it is an...item of of cultural power. He who carries the crown has the...unquestioning fealty of the ork tribes. I intend to utilize them..." the plague marine said slowly, suspicion brewing in his mind. Was the daemon going to try and claim the artifact from him? Forbid him from enacting his conquest? In truth, this was the best news Nealaphh had heard in some time. It was a solution to a problem which Nealaphh had difficulty solving, which was; how to control the Orcs of the Tangled Green?
For weeks, the God-Mind had been considering potential strategies for negotiationg or eradicating the host of verdant marauders, but this Crown was the key to the lock. Okor Paleblood would indeed have his orks, and have his conquest, but it Nealaphh would ensure it would be a conquest well outside of the Tangled Green. Perhaps to eradicate New Babylon, perhaps something else, but it would ultimately solve two problems at once. Now was not the time for pondering this scenario; there were too many unresolved variables.
Interesting. I look forward to it.
This seemed to act as a balm to the Plague Marine's troubled mind. It was reassuring to know that the daemon would not hold him to some sort of false moral standards. There was an unresolved thread to this conversation, however.
"...and the other question?"
Ah yes. Would you be willing to look after Rebecca for a time? I'm sure she would love to accompany you to the championship. If not, it is no trouble.
This caused Okor to turn around to face the shadow directly. An indistinct gurgling sound buzzed within his throat as he tried to find words. Did this daemon honestly expect him to babysit its pet human? What could it possibly expect from him in such a regard? At first, Okor was resolved to refuse the request outright, and perhaps even question their alleigance, but then...something stirred within the plague marine's fetid synapses. Something warm but...difficult to grasp. Sensations, fleeting echoes of forgotten conversations ran through his mind, begging to be remembered but coyishly dancing away from his recollection. A confused look cast itself upon his ghastly features, a mix of emotions that was...uncomfortable, to sat the least. The plague marine looked down at the otherworldly pair, with their mutually glowing eyes. Would it be so bad to have some company?
And, we dream of home I dream of life out of here Their dreams are small My dreams don't know fear I got my heart full of hope I will change everything No matter what I'm told How impossible it seems We did it before And we'll do it again We're indestructible Even when we're tired And we've been here before Just you and I
Don't try to rescue me I don't need to be rescued
Don't try to rescue me I don't need to be rescued