"Please, Inquisitor, enlighten me," Sage Olivia said, her voice cool as frost, though her face remained an unreadable mask. A faint edge in her tone hinted at the storm brewing beneath her composure.
Luka met her gaze, unfazed. He'd expected this—crossing a Mechanicus sage was like yanking a cog from a sacred machine. "May we speak in private? This concerns matters of the Inquisition."
Olivia's eyes narrowed, her forged axe stilling in her grip. With a subtle hum, a force field shimmered into existence, cocooning them in silence. "This barrier ensures no eavesdroppers," she said, her stare sharp enough to cut steel. "Speak your piece."
Luka took a breath, choosing his words carefully. "Blackstone isn't just some mineral. It's a relic of the Necrontyr, an alien race from sixty million years past. They clashed with the Eldar in a war that scorched the galaxy, forging blackstone to shackle or amplify the Warp's power. For reasons lost to time, they transformed into the Necrons and sealed themselves in stasis tombs.
"If the ruins you've found are theirs, Sage Olivia, digging them up could awaken a nightmare. Without proper safeguards, Rostov II might face a war we can't win. As governor and inquisitor, I'd be forced to consider… drastic measures, even Exterminatus on my own world."
His voice was steady, his expression earnest, willing her to see reason. A Necron awakening would shatter his novice mission before it truly began.
Olivia's gaze softened, the fire in her eyes dimming. "Your argument holds weight. I'll pause the excavation." Yet her tone carried a reluctant undercurrent—those ancient, stasis-locked ruins were a siren's call to any Mechanicus sage.
Still, she leaned forward, her curiosity unquenched. "If I were to proceed, what preparations would you deem necessary?"
Luka hesitated, weighing the risks. "It varies. A weaker Necron dynasty might be little more than rusted husks and crumbling constructs. A stronger one? They could wield weapons that snuff out stars. Even Trazyn, a mere overlord, commands horrors beyond reckoning." As a Necron enthusiast, Luka knew dynasties ranged from decayed ruins to apocalyptic fleets like the World Engine.
"If you must explore, muster Crusader units, secure a Knight House, and call on Astartes for support," he advised, framing it as a full-scale campaign.
Olivia's expression tightened, a flicker of unease crossing her face. "For… reasons, I have no Skitarii at my command. I can reach out to a Knight House, but their response isn't guaranteed. You, as governor or inquisitor, might fare better inviting Imperial Knights or Freeblades. As for manpower, I'd prefer the Planetary Defense Force, as agreed with the prior governor."
Luka's lips quirked in amusement at the circular negotiation. "I'm still learning Rostov II's lay of the land. Rachel tells me the PDF has ten regiments but lacks heavy weapons and vehicles. They're not equipped to aid you. If you could supply armaments or vehicles, I could spare some troops."
He paused, recalling his Level I authority. "I'll take your advice on the Knights."
Olivia nodded, her mechanical arms folding thoughtfully. "An investment, then. What do you require?"
"Technical expertise for equipment procurement and planetary infrastructure," Luka said, seizing the chance to tap Mechanicus knowledge.
"If the request is reasonable, I'll contact the forge world, though my sway is limited," Olivia replied. "For planetary development, I can offer my expertise, per my prior agreement. In return, I expect swift manpower support."
Luka allowed himself a small smile. Securing a sage's cooperation was a rare victory. Olivia's surprising warmth—almost human compared to the Mechanicus norm—intrigued him. Was her lack of Skitarii tied to her unconventional nature?
He didn't press but recalled her botanical penchant. "Sage Olivia, as a biologis, do you specialize in plant cultivation? If I provided a plant sample, could you adapt it for Rostov II's soil?"