Rae van Daleon – The Roots of the Storm

by Lea von Löwenstein

Chapter 51: A Warning from the Magos

The dim hum of machinery filled the air in the tech workshop of the Scola, a place Tyren had come to know well. Rows of cogitators buzzed faintly, their displays blinking with data streams. Tyren was seated at a console, his fingers dancing over the keys as he worked on yet another experiment—an optimization program designed to map the Scola’s internal network more efficiently.

He was so absorbed in his work that he didn’t hear the heavy, mechanical footsteps behind him.

“Novice Tyren,” a synthetic voice grated, sharp and cold.

Tyren froze, his fingers hovering over the keyboard. Slowly, he turned to face Magos Omnitek, the towering figure framed by servo-arms and the faint glow of green optics. The Magos’s mechanical appendages twitched slightly, their movements unnervingly precise.

“You have been… observed,” Omnitek began, the words dripping with a tone that was neither angry nor forgiving, but something far worse: deliberate.

A Veiled Threat

Tyren swallowed hard, forcing himself to meet the Magos’s unblinking gaze. “I—was only running a diagnostic, Magos,” he began, his voice steady despite the tension in the room. “Nothing unauthorized.”

Omnitek’s optics narrowed, the faint whir of their servo-motors filling the silence. “The data logs of your ‘diagnostics’ suggest otherwise,” they said, producing a small data slate from one of their appendages. “You have breached several restricted partitions of the cogitator network. These are not the actions of a novice merely ‘exploring.’”

Tyren opened his mouth to respond, but Omnitek raised a servo-claw, silencing him.

“Were it not for the direct protection you and your team enjoy under the Inquisition,” the Magos continued, “you would be facing disciplinary action most severe. The Omnissiah does not tolerate deviation, nor does this Scola.”

The weight of the Magos’s words pressed down on Tyren, but his mind raced for a way to explain himself. “I didn’t mean to overstep,” he said finally. “I was trying to improve the network—make it more secure, more efficient.”

Omnitek tilted their head slightly, their mechanical limbs pausing mid-motion. “Intentions matter little. Results do. However… your actions have revealed a potential for understanding that warrants cultivation rather than eradication.”

A New Mentor

The Magos moved closer, their presence looming. “You will now report directly to me for all cogitator-related tasks and experimentation. Your work will be supervised and guided by the will of the Omnissiah.”

Tyren blinked, unsure whether to feel relieved or apprehensive. “You’re… taking me under your mentorship?”

Omnitek’s optics glowed faintly. “You will learn to wield the Machine Spirit with reverence and precision. Your understanding will be honed, your errors corrected. But be warned: there will be no tolerance for further indiscretions.”

Tyren nodded quickly. “I understand, Magos. Thank you.”

Omnitek stepped back slightly, their servo-arms folding into a resting position. “Your gratitude is unnecessary. Your performance will determine your worth. We begin tomorrow. Report to the Mechanicus lab at dawn.”

A Warning to the Team

As Omnitek departed, Tyren let out a long breath, his hands gripping the edge of the console. The tension in his shoulders hadn’t fully eased when Rae, Celestine, Marcus, and Soren entered the workshop, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.

“What was that about?” Rae asked, her sharp eyes scanning Tyren’s face.

Tyren exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “The Magos caught me… digging a little too deep into the cogitator network.”

Celestine arched a brow. “And you’re still breathing? Impressive.”

“They know about the Inquisition’s protection,” Tyren said. “That’s the only reason I’m not scrubbing servo-skulls in the maintenance tunnels right now.”

Marcus frowned. “What does this mean for you?”

Tyren straightened, his tone resolute. “It means I’m now under Omnitek’s mentorship. They’re going to teach me—guide me. I’ll be working directly with them.”

Rae crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. “And what do you think about that?”

Tyren hesitated, then smiled faintly. “It’s an opportunity. A big one. If I can keep up, I’ll learn more than I ever could on my own. And… I’ll make sure nothing like this happens again.”

Rae nodded slowly. “Good. Just remember: we’ve got your back. Always.”

“For Talia,” Soren said quietly, his voice steady.

“For Talia,” Tyren echoed.

The Path Ahead

As the team left the workshop, Tyren lingered for a moment, his gaze drifting back to the console he had been working on. The memory of Omnitek’s words lingered in his mind, a mixture of warning and promise.

The path ahead would be challenging, but it was one he was ready to walk. Under the Magos’s guidance, Tyren knew he would grow—not just as a tech-adept, but as a vital part of his team.

The Machine Spirit demanded perfection. And Tyren intended to deliver.