Chương 62: Noosphere Interlude Two

Alexis grunted as she lowered the case down, and all of the tools and bits of scrap within clattered about with the familiar clanking of metal on metal. She stood, hands going to the small of her back, only it didn't truly hurt. There was some discomfort in her spine, sure, but that was mostly because she'd forgotten that lifting with her legs was important. K84-321 dropped two big boxes down next to hers. Both of them weighed as much as she did, but he had carried them all the way here without any trouble at all.

The advantage of being a great big lug of a guy. Alexis gave him a thankful smile, then looked about the room. Her room. Well, rooms, really? The space that Clarice had given her was technically on the upper decks. One deck above the Medicae facilities, actually. It was also only a short elevator ride from the Lord Captain's quarters, which was saying something. Otherwise, though, the space wasn't all that special. A small quarters, with a sink and toilet and a tiny shower, then space for a fold-out bed and a desk.

That room had a door leading into the space she was in now. It was a strange cross between a workshop and a living room. There was an old metal desk with two chairs and space for more, and a row of hip-high benches along the walls, with clamps and spaces for tools. All of her gear, laid out in this space, wouldn't take up even a tenth of it. It was as large as Ash-Theta's personal workspace in the Servitorium. Other than a few burnt-out lumens, and the pervasive stench of old air, this place was perfect. She...

almost didn't feel like she deserved any of this. Then again, maybe this was just a consequence of growth? Alexis walked around the room, feeling it out while taking small, clinking steps along the deckplates. She'd repaint. She never liked the dull greys and blacks that every wall was painted in. They didn't need to be in vibrant colours or anything, but a nice warm grey, with maybe some Martian red wouldn't hurt, and if ever there was a time to paint, it was now, before all of her things were moved in.

That would mean putting in a request to the local maintenance team. Grunting, Alexis moved over to one of the benches and hopped up onto it. Soon enough, the request was sent... and then she very naturally found herself on the local Noosphere, where she knew she'd be losing a few hours just reading through whatever gossip was posted.

========================================================= +++ IMPERIAL VESSEL NOOSPHERE +++ +++ Praise the Omnissiah +++ VESSEL: The Broken Scale Current Status: Translation State: > IMMATERIUM TRANSIT ACTIVE Machine-Spirit Cohesion: > STABLE Primary Noospheric Cogitator: > RESPONSIVE External Astropathic Relay: > DEGRADED Current Liturgical Time: > 999.

M41 // Second Bell Connected Minds: 417 Unread Notifications: 00 ========================================================= LOCAL FEEDS [ANNOUNCEMENTS] > Enginseer Prime Deceased > Ration Schedule Updated > Lower Decks Quarantine Ending Tomorrow > New Lord Captain has Taken the Throne > Daemonic Presence Confirmed in Medicae Deck - EMERGENCY QUARANTINE PROCEDURES ARE ACTIVE TRENDING DATA-THREADS ▲ Lower Deck Genestealer Attack?

Replies: 4, 488 ▲ Daemon-Worshipers and You - How to Avoid Dying of a Plague Replies: 758 ▲ SAINT OF THE GOD-EMPEROR Replies: 6, 067 ▲ Shipboard Memetic Hazard Containment Thread [Posting Memetic Hazards Outside of This Thread Will Result in a Permanent Ban from the Noosphere and Servitorization] Replies: 182, 511 ========================================================= YOU ARE LOGGED IN: Alexis Lambda-3 [Tech Acolyte] PRAISE THE OMNISSIAH REMAIN FAITHFUL OBEY THE STRICTURES You are viewing: • Threads you have replied to // Threads that have new replies • Threads are ordered chronologically.

• Twelve posts per page • Last twelve messages in private message history. ========================================================= She shook her head. The thread that had grown the most was the one about Octavia, of course. And the Memetic Hazard thread too, obviously. She idly scrolled through a few, the threads projected before her on her Augs and controlled through her MIU, which made it rather effortless. That was maybe a little dangerous, too.

Spending too much time on the Noosphere arguing about things could be dangerous!

══════════════════════════════ +++ THE BROKEN SCALE NOOSPHERIC EXCHANGE +++ Local Data-Thread // Religious Discussion ══════════════════════════════ Thread: ▲ SAINT OF THE GOD-EMPEROR Started by: Duskland Ship Time: 999. M41 // 14: 12 Replies: 1, 087 Viewing: 173 users (151 Authenticated, 22 Guest Nodes) ══════════════════════════════ ► DaemonStalker [Confirmed: Not a Daemonic Presence] Posted: 999. M41 // 21: 47 I have reviewed the pict-captures again. I am now 97. 3% certain that she is not a Daemon.

This is excellent news. Can we please have access to the pict-feeds of the network within the quarantine area of the Medicae bay? Working from Voidsmen recordings is painful. Their equipment is woefully under-maintained. ────────────────────────────── ► Liz Rossi [Tech-Acolyte] Posted: 999. M41 // 21: 49 I don't believe that this woman is a Saint. Every one of her 'miracles' could be accomplished via technological means. ────────────────────────────── ► Keht Jelico-2 [Electro-Priest] Posted: 999.

M41 // 21: 51 Miracles witnessed by more than two (2) individuals: - Octavia Glass summoned equipment from thin air. - Her weapons are unmovable to anyone but herself. - She is unharmed after hours of fierce combat - She was unaffected by a warp plague. - She moved at unnaturally fast speeds. - She is said to be protected by a barrier of golden light. - Members of the Sororitas have reportedly started crying or singing hymns in her presence.

- A daemon-possessed member of the Medicae, Director Bennick, melted in her presence. Unconfirmed reports: - Psykers report feeling her as a great void - Nearness to her makes certain people feel safer - A Voidsmen reported that he sight of her cured his erectile disfunction - Her presence removes warp-taint ────────────────────────────── ► T0rrent [Data-Smith] Posted: 999. M41 // 21: 53 <<Keht Jerico-2"A Voidsmen reported that he sight of her cured his erectile disfunction" Brother.

I worry about the veracity of your reporting. ────────────────────────────── ► Brandon-435u34958 Posted: 999. M41 // 21: 55 I, for one, am willing to worship the short saint. ────────────────────────────── ► Neachtain of the Omnissiah [Lexmechanic] Posted: 999. M41 // 21: 57 REMINDER: MEMETIC HAZARDS, EVEN TEXTUAL ONES, USED OUTSIDE OF THE APPROPRIATE THREAD WILL RESULT IN A BAN FROM THE NOOSPHERE AND SERVITORIZATION. ────────────────────────────── ► Brandon-435u34958 Posted: 999.

M41 // 21: 58 Forgive me, Lexmechanic Neachtain. ────────────────────────────── ► Neachtain of the Omnissiah [Lexmechanic] Posted: 999. M41 // 21: 59 APOLOGY IS UNNECESSARY WHEN ONE DOES THEIR DUTY. ADDITIONAL REMINDER: WE ARE AWARE OF THE CRUDE ART DRAWN OF THE SAINT. WE KNOW. WE ALSO KNOW WHERE TO FIND YOU. ────────────────────────────── ► Delta19555 [Enginseer] Posted: 999. M41 // 22: 01 <<Keht Jelico-2 I would add that Genestealers have been found dead across the ship.

The means of their death is currently unknown. <<DaemonStalker Those pict-feeds contain potential cognito-hazards. Viewing them puts your soul at risk. Do not do so unless you have the appropriate cognition-resistant cogitators censoring the pict-feeds first. ────────────────────────────── ► Que_The_Omnissian [Tech-Priest] Posted: 999. M41 // 22: 03 Oh, most holy Omnissiah Thank you for this sign of your holy presence upon this humble vessel crewed by your ever-faithful!

────────────────────────────── ► Delta19555 Posted: 999. M41 // 22: 04 Praying so publicly feels a little performative, no? ────────────────────────────── ► Que_The_Omnissian [Tech-Priest] Posted: 999. M41 // 22: 05 I am a Tech-Priest of the Omnissiah. If I am not going to be performative about the Omnissiah, what exactly have I been doing with the last forty-seven years of my life? ────────────────────────────── ► Neachtain of the Omnissiah [Lexmechanic] Posted: 999.

M41 // 22: 07 THOSE IN DOUBT CAN FIND RESPITE AND ANSWERS WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TECH-CLERGY ON DECK G55. ────────────────────────────── ► DaemonStalker [Confirmed: Not a Daemonic Presence] Posted: 999. M41 // 22: 09 I have reviewed the testimony regarding the alleged Saint and I remain unconvinced. However, I have also reviewed the footage of her destroying the daemon-possessed Director Bennick. I am revising my position from: "Almost certainly not a Saint."

To: "Almost certainly not a Saint, but I would prefer that someone else be the one to tell her." The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ────────────────────────────── ► Liz Rossi [Tech-Acolyte] Posted: 999. M41 // 22: 10 Why would you need to tell her? She doesn't appear to have claimed to be a Saint. ────────────────────────────── ► DaemonStalker [Confirmed: Not a Daemonic Presence] Posted: 999.

M41 // 22: 11 Does that fact that she is unconcerned make her more or less likely to be an Imperial Saint? ══════════════════════════════ +++ Thread remains open +++ +++ Noosphere moderation active +++ ══════════════════════════════ ========================================================= Alexis groaned. Even when not out and about, Octavia was causing trouble. At least this hadn't spilled out into anything more than speculation and arguing between members of the Cult Mechanicus.

Arguing was a core part of her religion, one that she was admittedly not very good at. She shook her head and looked at the list of open threads. There had been a thread about her last time, hadn't there? She recalled that it had been closed by one of the moderators, but....

Carefully, she navigated through the front page of the Noosphere, then winced as she discovered another. ========================================================= TRENDING DATA-THREADS ▲ [POLL] Which Deck Contains The Most Doctrinally Sound Recaff Dispenser? Started by: F0lkL0re Replies: 3, 771 ▲ I Have Determined The Cargo Elevators Are Deliberately Disobeying Me Started by: M1re-Tame Replies: 2, 194 ▲ [THEOLOGICAL] Does A Machine-Spirit Know When You Are Insulting It?

Started by: Inattentive Demiurge Replies: 5, 028 ▲ [QUERY] [URGENT] Most Efficient Method Of Removing An Obstruction From Cylindrical Tubing - THE OBSTRUCTION MUST NOT BE DAMAGED.

Started by: MechaFire Replies: 1, 209 ▲ Is It Heretical To Name Your Favourite Servitor? Started by: Redikal Replies: 104 ▲ Omnissiah-Blessed? Alexis Lambda-3 Started by: Jacob-Page-5 Replies: 677 ══════════════════════════════ +++ THE BROKEN SCALE NOOSPHERIC EXCHANGE +++ Local Data-Thread // Adeptus Mechanicus Discussion ══════════════════════════════ Thread: ▲ Omnissiah-Blessed? Alexis Lambda-3 Started by: Jacob-Page-5 Ship Time: 999.

M41 // 20: 47 Replies: 677 Viewing: 118 users (103 Authenticated, 15 Guest Nodes) ══════════════════════════════ ► Jacob-Page-5 [Tech Adept] Posted: 999.

M41 // 20: 47 I have been reviewing recent incident reports and would like clarification from those with greater knowledge. Alexis Lambda-3 has: Entered a reactor chamber during extreme radiation exposure and survived. Assisted in stabilizing damaged machinery during said incident. Participated in the defence of the Secondary Communications Relay below the prow. Directed servitors during multiple engagements having received an active MIU and a new arm at some point.

Subsequently demonstrated the ability to direct servitors without conventional verbal commands. Participated in the final battle against the Genestealer infestation. Lost her lower limbs. These were replaced. Assisted in the scouting of the daemon-infected section of the ship, and then its clearing a day later. Acquired at least three upper-tier servitors/cybernetic robotics of unknown origin This seems unusual. Is she blessed? ────────────────────────────── ► Cogs-Out-4-Hadron [Lexmechanic] Posted: 999.

M41 // 20: 49 DATA ANALYSIS COMMENCING. Input: Alexis Lambda-3. Classification: Tech-Acolyte. Expected operational competence: LOW. Observed operational competence: VARIABLE → HIGH. Observed survival rate: ABNORMAL. Observed proximity to critical mechanical incidents: ABNORMAL. Observed servitor affinity: ABNORMAL. Observed acquisition of advanced neural-interface technology: ABNORMAL. Conclusion: The quantity of anomalous observations exceeds the threshold required for coincidence classification.

Blessing status: UNRESOLVED. Additional conclusion: She should be observed. Additional additional conclusion: She is trouble. ────────────────────────────── ► DaShoe-7 Posted: 999. M41 // 20: 51 You say that like causing a bit of trouble is a bad thing. Half the ship is currently held together with prayers to the Omnissiah and replacement parts. She's contributing. ────────────────────────────── ► Veldron [Tech-Priest] Posted: 999.

M41 // 20: 54 There is certainly something unusual about Alexis Lambda-3, but I would hesitate to call it a blessing yet. We have all seen talented Acolytes accomplish improbable things when sufficiently motivated, and she appears to have an unfortunate talent for being present whenever something breaks.

That said, surviving a reactor chamber under extreme radiation exposure long enough to perform meaningful stabilisation work is not a trivial matter, nor is her conduct during the Communications Relay defence, where she maintained functional coordination of damaged systems under active threat conditions. The more concerning, or interesting, element is her voluntary entry into the daemon-infected section of the vessel and subsequent return in a condition still capable of contributing to its clearance.

Perhaps she has simply discovered an aptitude for operating in situations where most Acolytes would not remain operational. ────────────────────────────── ► MK-Beta-404 [Enginseer] Posted: 999. M41 // 20: 56 ASSESSMENT UPDATED. Previous classification: COMPETENT TECH-ACOLYTE. Current classification: COMPETENT TECH-ACOLYTE / HIGH-INCIDENT-CORRELATION. Available evidence does not establish divine intervention. Recommended action: CONTINUE OBSERVATION.

Recommended secondary action: DO NOT PLACE HER NEAR ANYTHING EXPENSIVE WITHOUT SUPERVISION. ────────────────────────────── ► Pinging-Alma-9 [Transmechanic] Posted: 999. M41 // 20: 59 I've worked with Alexis. She's good at what she does. ────────────────────────────── ► GoatBane 999. M41 // 21: 01 So she's either blessed or annoyingly competent. ────────────────────────────── ► ZenNChill 999. M41 // 21: 03 Could be both. ────────────────────────────── ► Libri Lector [Magos] 999.

M41 // 21: 06 It would be premature to proclaim divine favour, certainly, but I would not dismiss the possibility merely because the evidence is inconveniently subtle. The Omnissiah does not always reveal Himself through miracles that shake the heavens. Sometimes a servant simply finds the correct component, understands the machine, and succeeds where others expected failure. Lambda-3 has done this rather frequently. For now, I recommend we watch her.

If she continues to attract unusual circumstances, we may eventually discover whether she is blessed, gifted, or merely possessed of an extraordinary quantity of luck. ────────────────────────────── ► Cogs-Out-4-Hadron [Lexmechanic] 999. M41 // 21: 08 ADDITIONAL DATA: Probability of Lambda-3 being "merely lucky" is decreasing. ────────────────────────────── ► DaShoe-7 999. M41 // 21: 09 So what you're telling me is the more we look at her, the less "coincidence" it becomes?

Anyway, I'm just saying: if the Omnissiah is involved, He's got a weird sense of humour. In any case, I heard that she's involved with the new Lord Captain? Is she in her retinue now? Can a Tech Acolyte actually represent the needs of the Mechanicus? ══════════════════════════════ +++ Thread remains open +++ +++ Noosphere moderation active +++ ══════════════════════════════ Alexis smacked her cheeks, which felt unfortunately warm at the moment.

She groaned, then instead of thinking about it, just mindlessly scrolled through a few more threads, hoping for a distraction. ══════════════════════════════ TRENDING DATA-THREADS ▲ Request For Clarification: When A Senior Tech-Priest Says "Do Not Touch That," Does This Include Looking At It? Started by: Corvid-2 Replies: 5, 302 ▲ [REQUEST] Looking For A Properly Maintained Mk. III Hand Scanner. Will Trade Two Functional Mk. II Units.

Started by: SeaWash Replies: 43 ▲ [SERIOUS] Why Does Everyone Keep Calling Every Unidentified Problem "Probably The Machine-Spirit"? Started by: Dathis Replies: 113 ▲ Is There A Standard Litany For When You Have Forgotten What You Were Doing? Started by: MKLegacy Replies: 41 ▲ [DOCTRINAL QUESTION] If A Machine Performs Better After You Insult It, Is The Insult Part Of The Maintenance Rite? Started by: Jyn of Ryvia-4 Replies: 5, 774 ▲ I Was Told To "Monitor The Situation."

What Exactly Am I Supposed To Do While Monitoring It? Started by: Fall-Anin Replies: 941 ▲ I Am Not Saying The Warp Is Affecting The Cogitators But The Cogitators Are Definitely Acting Strange Started by: Daft Replies: 8 ▲ [POLL] Which Forge World has the nicest set of robes? Started by: Eldritch-Realitiy Replied: 75 ▲ [POLL] Which Is More Embarrassing: Misidentifying A Fault, Or Finding The Fault Immediately After Reporting It? Started by: Xon-2.

0 Replies: 8, 204 ══════════════════════════════ She clicked through a few, then eventually remembered that she was supposed to be working, not goofing off on the Noosphere. Jumping up, Alexis patted down her robes, then got back to it. Her future was... looking pretty good, all things considered.