+++Chapter 3+++
Flanked by two of his most trusted guards also in black dress uniforms and carrying Lasguns, Govenor Aurelius Hekon strode through the connecting tunnel to the Mechanicus spire, it's grey iron walls covered with cabling, pipes and other strange mechanical devices. A deep low hum from some unknown source sent a constant vibration through the floor, it made Aurelius' stomach churn which combined with the hot, humid air caused by numerous steam spraying release valves was making him feel increasingly uncomfortable. He hated visiting the Adeptus Mechanicus in their ever growing hive spire and normally he would of done his utmost to avoid it, but today he wanted answers, answers he knew would most likely be found here. He had been able to find no record of this 'sub level 17B', but while searching through historical data from Avengis past he discovered that all of the Hive's sub levels had been built by the Mechanicus and their servitors, no slaves or penal workers were used. This made no sense, the sub levels were simply hab areas for the lowest classes and as such should be of no interest to the Adeptus Mechanicus. Any reasons as to why they had been so involved was either not recorded, or as Aurelius suspected, deleted.
He stopped in front of the entrance, a huge set of doors adorned with a single immense symbol of the Adeptus Mechanicus, the skull on a black and white bi-sected cog an impressive sign of power and history, but also a warning. Knowing that it's ancient recognition systems were scanning him, Aurelius waited. A slender com-unit with a round grill like microphone extended from a previously invisible hatch in the right door, suttering to a halt in front of Aurelius. A metalic voice droned from concealed speakers.
***STATE YOUR NAME AND BUSINESS***
"Governor Aurelius Hekon, I wish to speak with Tech-Magos Ivanex."
There was a pause of several seconds and then a large clunk as the door's lock deactivated. The doors opened inwards, a haze of ground hugging mist from the room within spiraling upwards momentarily obscurring his vision. As it cleared Aurelius couldn't stop his draw drop. He had only been here three times before and each time the sheer scale had made him gasp. It was a room of epic proportions, an entire level of the spire open in one giant, mile across round hall. The metal floor was smothered by the white mist that drifted no more than a foot high, swirling around the countless Tech-priests tinkering at worktables, bizarre machines, half complete vehicles and all manner of other strange devices. Throughout the hall black metal pylons towered above the room's inhabitants, the red lightning crackling between them dousing the room in an eerie glow. In the centre of the hall the spire's central column rose up from floor to ceiling, at this level a good 250 metres in diameter. Aurelius could see the column's numerous elevator doors opening and closing as Tech-priests and servitors entered and left the hall, a great many of them carrying equipment into the elevators. Aurelius realised he had never questioned why there was so many servants of the Machine God here, now that he thought about it, it did seem incredibly excessive. Avengis after all was not a Forgeworld, it did produce some unusual small devices but nothing in great bulk. He looked out across the hall, suspicions forming in his mind, Techpriests were everywhere mechandrites flailing as they worked at desks and on machines, carrying parts and equipment, testing new designs and ordering about untold numbers of servitors. Making the scene even more frenetic was the hundreds of Servo-skulls bobbing and weaving through the chaos.
++This is an unexpected pleasure. Governor.++ The overly loud, emotionless, electronic voice of Tech-Magos Ivanex making Aurelius jump.
Aurelius turned to see Ivanex approaching. Red robes with a black and white checked trim flowing to the floor over what Aurelius suspected was an almost entirely bionic body, his stomping gait betraying at least mechanical legs, but surely the body was too large to still be normal human flesh. More evident were Ivanex' replacement arms, his left a chunky power claw reminiscent of a Sentinel power lifter and his right a multitude of different size and shape drills, tools and sockets. Ivanex's head was covered by the hood of his robe, what remained of his face was hidden by a gold mask with only his eyes visible glinting through rectangular slits. A square mesh covered where his mouth had once been, the automated voice suggesting there was no longer a human mouth behind the mesh.
++Are you ok Governor? You seem somewhat flushed.++
Aurelius hadn't realised his discomfort was quite so obvious. He decided to ignore the comment and steam straight ahead. "Magos, what is on sub level 17B?"
Ivanex didn't reply at once, a slight clicking noise emerging from his mesh mouth.
++There is no sub level 17B.++
"I have it on good authority there is. I have no time for you secrecy, lies or distortions. I would appreciate it if you would simply enlighten me."
Ivanex ignorned the Governors question. ++What good authority?++
Aurelius looked down for a moment considering what to say, he decided to be mainly truthfull. "The Adeptus Astartes have come to our aid, but they have also requested access to this supposedly non-existant sub level. In our current plight their request was not something I could refuse, not that I know what I am agreeing to."
++You have agreed to their demands? What chapter is this?++
"What choice did I have? But as to their chapter, that is irrelevant, stop diverting me. I know the Adeptus Mechanicus built the lower Hive and I want to know what is in this 'unknown' level." Aurelius' glared at Ivanex, the Tech-Magos' expression unfathomable behind his mask. Aurelius hated dealing with these half machine men, it was so hard to judge their thoughts because of the lack of body language.
++I will conceed there is such a sub level. However it's contents are not of your concern, nor do you have the right to give access to it.++
The Governor's bodyguards grimaced as Aurelius's face went bright red. "I am an Imperial Governor and the Emperor's representive on Avengis! And I have access to whatever I damn well please on MY planet!"
++Incorrect, Governor. If you would care to check the documentation from your licence of Government for Avengis, you will find under section 37, clause 9J that you have jurisdiction of the entire planet, except for the Mechanicus spire and sub-levels 25 and below. They fall under the jurisdiction of the most senior representitive of the Omnissiah based on Avengis, which just so happens to be myself.++
Aurelius' hid the shock of this discovery well, channelling it into an expression of cold fury. "If this is a delaying tactic believe me there will be repercussions, Tech-Magos. We stand here surrounded by Chaos, the last bastion of the Imperium upon Avengis teetering on the brink of destruction and you choose to obstruct the Emperor's loyal servants?. This casts a dark shadow of doubt over your loyalty to the Imperium. I must wonder how the Inquisition would view your obstruction..."
Before Ivanex could respond Aurelius' Mini-com started buzzing, these compact miniature long range vox systems one of several unusual devices recently manufactured on Avengis. He flicked the accept switch and held the device to his ear. "Yes?"
It was his aide Morgan. "Sir! We need you back at ops, there's been a series of explosions at each of the enemy artillery sites and the shelling has stopped! Looks like your Shadowhawks have made quite and impression!"
Aurelius smiled, the Shadowhawks had made an impact far quicker than he could of hoped. "An interesting development, I will be there promptly." He switched his Mini-com off and turned his attention back to Ivanex.
"It would seem we will have to continue this discussion later. Though I must warn you Ivanex, your compliance would be to your benefit. The Adeptus Astartes are not to be trifled with." He turned on his heel and marched back out of the hall.
Ivanex watched him leave, mechandrites twitching irritably. ++Nor am I Governor, nor am I.++
Activating his internal audio system he listening to the intercepted vox transmission as it played into his inner ear. Puzzled by the chapter name with a thought he switched his comms to broadcast and transmitted a burst of machine code to the Datalibrary. Moments later a machine code reply chittered in his inner ear. Listening to the reply Ivanex would of laughed if his human mouth still remained. 'Amusing' he thought, 'and Aurelius had threatened me with the Inquisition'. He switched his com to another secure and secret frequency.
++Cygnus, advise Umbertino 'Lux Imperator'++
By Bootae