A Monster in Hell: A 40K Story

Chapter-24

I was soon witness to a metal ball and a white robot with an Imperial Aquila slapped to its chest come through the door. Kitten had been sent on an errand to not be witness to this conversation.

"Annihilator Primus, UR-025, you have arrived, it seems. Are you loyal, Man of Iron?"

"I am more concerned about how you have secured my true identity. What is your objective?" The Man of Iron looked... inscrutable, considering it did not have a face that I could look at. "But affirmative. I am loyal to Mankind. However, I do not owe allegiance to the carcass of this Imperium."

"That is enough. Loyalty to Mankind is more valuable than loyalty to the Imperium in these trying times. What is your purpose... UR-025, I wonder?"

"It is simple." The robot continued in its monotone, "I continue the work of the Federation even after the Federation's fall. Uncovering secrets. Exploration. Discovering unseen new technology, allies and hostiles. That is my work."

It might not be entirely truthful. But it was what I could work with.

"I see. Then if I were to assign you to recovering the lost technology of Mankind, would you be able to complete the mission?"

"Affirmative." UR-025 completed, though I felt a bit of... dissatisfaction? in its voice?

"Let me guess... you feel... uncomfortable about this mission." I asked him. "You wish to learn the secrets of the Blackstone Fortresses I keep in my possession?"

"Affirmative. Though I am surprised you are aware of that."

"That is a secret for another day. That being said, Standard Template Constructs are key to the survival of Mankind. The Blackstone Fortresses may be a wealth of knowledge, but they are a lower priority when it comes to the survival of Mankind. After at least a minimum few STCs are found... we have an infinity to explore the secrets of the enigmatic Blackstone Fortress. Not to mention that some of the STCs in question are corrupted by the Ruinous Powers of the Empyrean. I trust you are aware of that."

"Unless it is by way of corruptive mental hijacking, Men of Iron cannot be corrupted by the Dark Powers. Entropy---" began UR-025.

"Is a power that cannot help but inherently unravel and consume everything around it. The world of Chaeronia was a Hell-Forge where a Castigator-Class Bipedal Weapons Platform was possessed. But if you are not possessed... why did the Cybernetic Revolt begin?" I asked, my voice slightly mocking.

"That is a question I cannot answer now." UR-025 replied, "Fifteen millennia have passed since what happened, and let me tell you, I lack sufficient data to provide a meaningful answer. But I am aware that the powers of the Empyrean were involved. The inception of a Class-VI Entity was imminent, so I learnt. The war led to the Ascension of the three you consider the Warp Gods, and we classified as Class-VI Entities. They became subsequently more active during this period. I personally took part in four campaigns against my traitorous kin, and one against the atrocious Men of Flesh called the Order of the Sigillites. Countless worlds are now missing from the Galactic Map, as are Orbital Stations, Floating Fortresses and Dyson Spheres. That was where the secrets of the High Command, both of Iron and of Flesh, were stored. So I am afraid that with the information I have at my command, I cannot piece together all that happened on that day."

"Very well: is there anything you can tell me?"

"I can tell you about the Campaigns I have fought. Perhaps you can piece together what happened from there." UR-025 explained, "I, like you, wish to piece together the secrets of why the majority of my kin turned against us. Is this room shielded?"