@Uriel1339 @matt23 As Jeng finished his examination and Zuriel saw the surprise on his face, he immediately knew his hunch was right. And the entire time he was explaining, the Viceroy was simply giving the Ultramarine an "I told you so you cocky ass" look. Then he took a few moments to think over their options. Claudius didn't want to deal with the sorcerer, and he honestly could not blame him. But if it was Warp... But then again, it likely wasn't. When Lapis explained what the crystal was, he explained it wasn't really a Warp machination. If that was the case, then Jeng was likely their best hope. "You kept us alive through the Warp jump brother, I'm sure you'll have not trouble taking care of this." His voice sounded completely sure and unworried. He was pretty good at hiding how he actually felt.
Blackflame shipyard - Workshop @Uriel1339 | Glancing at Lapis as he drew his power spear, did the Thousand Son really think he'd willingly exclude a weapon from part of his walking arsenal?, Jacen gave it a heft, reckoning that it would be heavier after the modifications. He'd need some time to get re-acquainted with the spear. "Would Amboss be able to assist you? The Salamanders do have a reputation for producing amazing equipment."
@Keidivh | @matt23 "Are you sure you don't want a second opinion? We talk about most likely open skull surgery. And who knows what that is. We have been what was for us months in the warp. It is not all too unlikely that something might have attached to him like a leech. What far more concerns me is that every crewmember could be haunted by the same. But I will do as you desire. Your body, after all." Jeng replied, quite worried in his voice. "Potential reinforcements or such, but the psy-conductor... Most likely not so much. Only Librarians, and perhaps a Master of the Forge may know of that technology. But he could potentially modify or artifice your spear." Lapislazuli shrugged, feeling indifferent about it as there was a task at hand, and said hand was stretched out to receive the spear, if Jacen was to hand it over.
Blackflame shipyard - Workshop @Uriel1339 | Jacen handed Lapis the spear, eventually shaking his head. "No, I misspoke earlier. If additional changes are made then I'll decide when and where."
Claudius sighed as he grew more frustrated. "Then call that -so called- Librarian in here while you preform it. If it is as you worry he can assist, but I will not leave my life in his hands alone. Especially if I am in stasis and unable to keep watch myself," he said in an impatience tone.
~~ Roughly three hours later ~~ @Avenging-Angel Jacen's Force Hood was completed, but Lapislazuli was called elsewhere before the Psy Conductors for his Power Spear could be made. He was left with advice to meditate, this time using the Force Hood. Of course Jacen spent roughly an hour first to paint it to suit his armor, and then he was available to do as he saw fit. But the meditation would be much more.... Clear this time. Less 'noise' or distractions, even temptations. He knew now that the voices of promise in all he desired may be part of the warp's trickery, which is why Lapislazuli might have questioned Jacen's motivation. Nonetheless, every time the child of the Great Khan would close his eyes in the trance, his third eye would look towards Terra and see nothing but.... Destruction? Change would come, drastic change. Soon and it would be affecting the entire Imperium like only the Heresy had. The emotion of the upcoming event was strong enough to backlash at the young Lexicanum and even shudder him slightly, if focused too long. @seabass & @TechCaptain The parts were forged and once having returned to the Iron Maiden and the Warpsmith, the operation was done in record time. With serial numbers changed on the chassis and outside alterations with slight calibrations on the vox-modulator as well, she was a complete different being. It also seemed that Lucas had been released just in time to see that the ruse had worked out. The Alpha Legionnaire nodded at the younger ones, somewhat impressed by their ingenuity and speed of work. @Keidivh After Claudius was taken for surgery by Lapislazuli and Jeng, it was evident that there was a talk needed with Lykander. Luckily he was just taking a break in the training room. "Heard from Jeng what happened. Well let's hope the sorcerer and the to-be Apothecary can fix the good champion up, eh? But if you seek to have insight from me, I have none for it is all in Claudius' head." Lykander made much clear and only was open for small-talk, such as his training routine. @matt23 Lapislazuli confirmed what Jeng suspected, the creature definitely was born out of the warp and leeched on Claudius in order to maintain being in the physical realm. Perhaps with the goal to multiply or completely take over the Astartes. It was definite the only thing that kept the Astartes from pure insanity was his superior biochemistry as well as his undying will to complete his mission. It might be a physical creature, but still is bound to emotional boundaries. The moment Claudius as proposed went into a complete frozen state and went under surgery, it appeared that his mind travelled elsewhere... His feet landed on the grandiose marble of the Temple of Correction back on Macragge, home. It was as marvelous if not even more as he remembered. So long he had been away. His feet carried him without any input, like a reflex throughout the holy halls. Reading random names, mostly those he has lost during the Heresy that served alongside him. However his feet stopped when his eyes fell on his own name. Claudius Aurelius, Champion of Macragge, wielder of Calth's Vengeance, Warrior of the Deathwatch, Loyal beyond Death. His hand reached to touch the stone, wanting to clarify it was true, that it was real. Did he die? Did his spirit transcend and took him back to where it all began? His hand finally landed on the stone, it simply pushed into the wall and fell in. A Black-Purple light was behind it, suddenly tentacle-like veins of warp energies leashing out, grabbing his hands and before he knew also for this feet and forcing him into the air, leaving him suspended and in a tight grip with no hope of escape. An Astartes figure levitated out of the alternate dimension, the veins coming out of him. Slowly he levitated in front of his prisoner, crossing his arms and staring the Ultramarine dead in the eye. Twisted symbols of the Ultramarines all over his pitch-black armor and his face twisted, blurry, as it was not there. And then the creature-astartes spoke with a voice of a thousand different men. "Hero. Pah! We both know what you are.... What you will become. There is no Past, no Present, nor Future in this realm. There is only.... This moment. And I am you. Just like you are me. Claudius. We are one. You may get rid of me, but I always will linger, hiding behind the stonewall your emotions are, behind the dirt that your hammer slams. And once you are weak, once you feel the weakness and realize the strength you need can only be gained through the warp, through the true gods unlike your false emperor... Then you will turn to me and I will welcome you with my arms wide open. Try to fight me now... Try it for all the time you desire, but the moment of weakness will come and I shall aid you. Only together we can create the Imperium your father saw, your progenitor, Roboute Guilliman." Just as he whispered his very name, the giant of a man emerged from his Stasis capsule, as the truest and strongest of faithful ones did always preach! The Primarch without a word emerged, his signature weapons the Fists of Ultramar mounted on his hands. With one hand he grabbed the beast, squeezing it, while the other grabbed the head and ripped it off. And threw the remnants of corpse back into the hole it crawled from, a blank slate sealing what had revealed a hole for the warp before. This time, Claudius name not on it. Before either Guilliman or Claudius could say a single word, reality kicked in. ~~ Everyone back together in the infirmary, at Claudius' Bed ~~ Claudius woke at last up, after several hours post-surgery. Sweating from his nightmare and the thermal-pads to keep him warm from preventing his body to go back into survival mode against the cold, shutting him down to preserve his body. His squad was around him, while Uriel, Jeng, Lapislazuli, Lucas and the others readied the Iron Liberator for departure. The Ultramarine was the only one outside of his Power Armor and in simple, white robes - a hospital gown for Astartes. Present: Jacen Bargov Zuriel Erxandros Claudius
@Keidivh @seabass @Avenging-Angel @TechCaptain Claudius quickly awoke from his stasis and spoke in a distressed voice, "Father!" He then looked around confused a moment as his mind readjusted to reality. He took a deep breath as he turned to let his feet hand off the bed, rubbing a hand through his hair to fix it. He felt that a large weight had been lifted off his mind, and noticed that his massive headache was no longer in the back of his head. "Well, it would seem the Jeng was successful in the procedure. So let us not waste anytime here on 'what happened' and 'are you ok'. Just know that whatever it was that had caused my madness or delusions before, is no more. Now we can refocus on the task at hand. Now, besides this little problem I went through, is there any other situations I should be aware of?"
Bargov shook his head, "This ain't exactly something to waive off, Claudius. From how long jeng was working on you, that little warp bastard was putting up a fight. He said it attached itself to your oci....osipita-whatever its called. Something important in your head."
Erxandros grunted. " Iron Maiden is no longer among us but we now have Ferrus Virginem. An another Techpriestess."
Blackflame shipyard - Infirmary The force hood attached to his power armour probably made Jacen's situation obvious but he was mindful of the warnings Lapis had given him, choosing to remain silent for the time being.
