“Ah...Stalwor” thought the intellectual and true savant of the study of human society...in other words the Adeptus of Sociology.
Captain Hugo Stalwor of the Directorate Guard could be of two things to the mission set by CATAE: he could be a powerful ally, capable of stealing Limos’ shield from right under his nose. Or he could be a heart-wrenchingly painful obstacle, a spanner in the works the Adepti's Operation Overlor-
Never mind, scratch that. There had been no military operation called Overlord at any point in Empyrea Histroy as far as he knew. Perhaps he should consult his former roommates, the Master Adepts Morat, Nay, and Gei in the academic sub-sub fields of Grand Strategy, Aeronautical & Naval Warfare, and Military Tactics respectively on the subject of a forgotten “Operation Overlord”
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Anyway, Hugo Stalwor was a proud man. Though proud in a unique way. He did not indulge in vanity compounded abysmally by egocentrism like the Narcissians in the Northeast, nor was he pious and devout like the Ceruleans or the anxious ego of the average successful Vorantine. No, he was like the Estrinites and Umbracresti: Satisfied in his work and at a job well done – a respectable stance for a respectable Guard Captain.
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The Adeptus Sociological swallowed hard and tried his best not burn holes in Stalwor's....enhancements.
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The Technocracy of Vorantis had been humbled and humiliated by the not so humble Narcissians during the 50-40 YBP Coalition War, especially during Operation Steamhammer and the Siege of the regional capital Austerium. They had learned to value a balanced approach to defence – unlike the paranoid Aquilorians , who had been beaten brutally by the same opponent in the same war and had adopted a purely defensive approach to pan-regional defence – by maintaining a well trained and mechanically improved force in a modest amount that was ready to lay down their lives, metal bits and all, for the South.
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The Directorate Gaurdsmen were, in the not so experienced opinion of the Adeptus Sociological, more metal than flesh. They were logical, cold, and followed orders from the concrete chain of command without question to a ridiculously high standard. Stalwor ticked (This was not hyperbole or a joke, the Captain really did tick like a clock) as he had seemingly favoured tried and true components that had both been revised and improved on in equal amounts since the Age of Gears and the entire Great Age of Steam – which many argue to be the height of Empyrean Civilisation
Stalwor spoke with an organic jaw but had some coppery teeth,
“Greetings, Adeptus of Sociology. Before we get to the...point of this lovely chat, I would like to correct a discrepancy in your otherwise perfectly polite etiquette: it is rude to stare.”
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“Yes, yes, of course. My apologies, sir. But I have a slight problem...”
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“Don’t we all? I am sworn to protect the entire Technocratic Directorate of Vorantis, including that bastard Limos. Do you know that put out a death warrant for the Trainee Adeptus Poetic as his work was seen as overly critical of Liman Technocracy and the system / belief of Anti-Dysgenism. That is illogical as I have read some of those poems and deemed the criticism to be constructive in nature. What Mr. Rodney Limos wanted was an example to be made of one of the so called undesirables – The Trainee Adeptus was mentally ill and had been reassigned to a discipline he found relaxing and easy to aid in his recovery.”
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“Make an example of him by doi-“
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“I had to drag him all the way to the central office-chambers. The evil bastard made me beat him to death on live television – my only comfort was the mask that obscured my identity. As if I did not hate him enough by that point despite my appointment as captain, I had to listen to him drafting a proposal.” He said with a surprisingly bitter tone for someone without organic vocal cords – hence his speech being robotic and awkward as it was harder for him to speak.
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“A proposal to do what exactly, Captain?” Questioned the Adeptus, his curiosity piqued.
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“To create the one-time position of Attendant so that he could keep that woman near him that he never ceases to talk of.” He said blankly.
“Scientia potentia est. Knowledge is power, so tell me more.” The Adeptus said, irritated with the lack of information.
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“Her name is Airo Mædret-Chestepst, I have never seen her, but Limos talks about her in such reverence that she must be the best thing since æther power.”
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“I will be blunt, Captain Stalwor, CATAE wants me to kill Rodney Limos, and I want insurance that the Directorate Guard will help me and not him.”
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“Affirmative, come find me when you are ready.”
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“How can I trust you?”
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“You cannot, nor can you trust anyone else.”
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“Some more than others....” Muttered the Adeptus Sociological.
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