Chapter 9 - The Heresy Within...

The transport slowed as it approached a designated staging point near the vault's perimeter. The Edgerunners were busy checking their weapons and equipment, their expressions a mix of determination and unease. Cassian remained at the back, his servo-skulls orbiting him in a silent, reverent formation.

David glanced toward him, the weight of the situation clear in his voice. "Alright, Cassian. We're close. Got a plan, or are we just charging in?"

Cassian stepped forward, his optics glowing faintly as he addressed the group. "The objective is clear: penetrate the defenses, secure the rogue technology, and destroy any heretical elements. Precision will be prioritized, but if brute force is required, so be it."

Rebecca rolled her eyes, adjusting the straps on her holster. "Translation: throw ourselves into the meat grinder. Great."

Maine smirked, though the tension in his tone betrayed his confidence. "As long as we come out the other side, I'm game."

Lucy, leaning against the wall, crossed her arms. "It's not just the vault we need to worry about. If Militech realizes what's happening, they'll bring reinforcements fast. We don't have time for mistakes."

Cassian's servo-arm twitched as he gestured to the holo-display projecting the vault's defenses. "Mistakes will not be tolerated. The Machine God's will demands precision and efficiency. Chaos thrives on hesitation. We will not grant it the opportunity."

The transport came to a halt, its doors hissing open to reveal the outskirts of the vault. The landscape was barren and industrial, a vast expanse of warehouses and storage units stretching into the horizon. In the distance, the vault stood like a monolithic fortress, its defenses glinting in the dim light of Night City's polluted sky.

The Skitarii disembarked first, their movements sharp and synchronized. Rho gestured to the Edgerunners. "Stay close. The perimeter is monitored by drones."

As the group moved forward, Cassian's servo-skulls hovered ahead, scanning for anomalies. Manus emitted a faint hum as it relayed data back to the sanctum's network, its tool arms twitching with precision.

David glanced at Lucy as they followed. "You good? You've been quiet."

Lucy hesitated before nodding. "I'm fine. Just focused."

Cassian's voice broke through the tension, mechanical and unyielding. "This vault represents the pinnacle of chaos—hidden secrets, rogue technology, heretical constructs. Its destruction is not merely a task; it is a sacred duty."

Rebecca muttered under her breath, "He really doesn't know how to lighten the mood, huh?"

Maine chuckled softly but said nothing, his focus shifting to the massive vault ahead.

The group reached the outer perimeter, crouching behind cover as they surveyed the defenses. Automated turrets tracked the horizon, and drones buzzed in tight, efficient patterns above. Cassian observed the scene, his optics cycling through multiple spectrums.

"They rely on patterns," he said, his tone calm. "Patterns that can be exploited."

David frowned, his voice cautious. "You sure about that? One wrong move, and we're toast."

Cassian's servo-arm extended as he pointed toward a cluster of maintenance conduits near the vault's foundation. "There. A structural weakness. Their defenses prioritize surface-level breaches. We will strike from below."

Maine nodded, his voice low. "Alright, but if this goes sideways, priest, I'm blaming you."

"It will not go sideways," Cassian said firmly. "Chaos falters when faced with purpose."

The Edgerunners exchanged uneasy glances but followed Cassian's lead. As they moved into position, the shadow of the vault loomed larger, its defenses a reminder of the danger ahead.

For Cassian, the danger was irrelevant. The rogue technology within the vault was a blight upon the Machine God's design, and its eradication was non-negotiable. His vow was clear, his purpose absolute.

The mission had begun.

The group moved in tense silence, sticking close to the cover of abandoned crates and rusted pipelines as they advanced toward the vault. The distant hum of drones patrolling above set everyone's nerves on edge, their sharp lights cutting through the hazy air like predatory eyes.

Cassian led the way, his servo-skulls floating ahead in silent formation. Oculus scanned for hidden tripwires and sensors, while Manus paused occasionally to disable minor surveillance devices with its precision tools. Vox remained close to Cassian, humming softly as it relayed data to the group's holo-displays.

David crouched next to Lucy, his voice barely above a whisper. "Think this priest knows what he's doing?"

Lucy's gaze followed Cassian, who moved with mechanical precision, his servo-arm twitching slightly as he pointed toward a maintenance hatch near the base of the vault. "He knows exactly what he's doing. That's what scares me."

David frowned but said nothing, tightening his grip on his weapon as they continued forward.

Cassian reached the hatch first, his servo-skulls halting as he inspected the heavy metal door. It was reinforced with biometric locks and a faint hum of power, indicating additional internal security measures.

"Rho," Cassian commanded without turning. "Secure the perimeter."

Rho nodded, gesturing to the other Skitarii. They fanned out, their weapons raised and optics scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement.

Cassian extended his servo-arm, its tools whirring to life as he began dismantling the hatch's security mechanisms. The Binary Cant flowed from his vocal modulator, a steady rhythm of clicks and hums that seemed to resonate with the locks themselves. Slowly, the mechanisms disengaged, and the hatch opened with a low hiss.

"Impressive," Lucy muttered, her tone tinged with reluctance.

"It is not a matter of skill," Cassian replied without looking at her. "The machine spirits recognize their master's touch."

Rebecca leaned closer, grinning. "Yeah, sure. Let's call it that."

The group descended into the maintenance tunnels, the air growing cooler and heavier with each step. The tunnels were dimly lit, lined with conduits and bundles of exposed wiring. Cassian's optics glowed faintly, casting eerie red reflections on the walls.

Manus floated ahead, its tool arms working tirelessly to disable minor traps and reroute power away from automated defenses. Vox projected a holographic map, highlighting their path to the vault's lower chambers.

"Feels like a tomb down here," Maine muttered, his voice echoing slightly. "You sure this is the right way, priest?"

Cassian glanced at him, his tone sharp. "Doubt is the seed of failure. Focus on the task."

Maine scowled but fell silent, his massive cybernetic arms twitching slightly as he kept his weapon ready.

As they neared the vault's core, the tunnel widened into a chamber dominated by a massive blast door. Cassian stopped abruptly, his servo-skulls hovering in tight formation as he scanned the door's intricate locking mechanisms.

"This is the final barrier," Cassian said, his mechanical voice steady. "Behind this lies the heretical technology."

Lucy frowned, her violet eyes narrowing. "And how do you plan to get through that without setting off every alarm in the place?"

Cassian's servo-arm extended, a thin probe emerging from its tip. "The machine spirits will grant access."

David hesitated. "If this goes wrong…"

"It will not," Cassian interrupted, his optics flaring. "Remain silent and let purpose guide us."

He began his work, chanting softly in Binary Cant as his tools engaged with the door's mechanisms. The hum of energy grew louder, and faint warning lights blinked on the door's surface.

"Uh, guys?" Rebecca said, her voice tense. "I think the turrets are waking up."

The distant sound of grinding metal and shifting servos filled the chamber as the vault's defenses stirred. The Skitarii raised their weapons, forming a protective line in front of the Edgerunners.

"It seems the machine spirits resist," Cassian said, his tone unfazed. "No matter. They will submit."

The group braced themselves as the turrets emerged from hidden compartments in the walls. Red targeting lasers swept across the chamber, locking onto the intruders.

"Cassian," David said urgently, "we've got a problem!"

Cassian didn't respond. His Binary Cant intensified, the rhythm growing faster and more complex. The blast door's mechanisms groaned as if in protest, but it began to open slowly, inch by inch.

"Rho, hold the line," Cassian commanded. "Protect the sanctum's purpose."

Rho and the other Skitarii opened fire, their plasma rifles unleashing bursts of searing energy at the advancing turrets. The room filled with the deafening roar of combat, the air thick with smoke and the acrid scent of burning metal.

As the blast door opened fully, Cassian stepped back, his servo-skulls hovering protectively around him. He turned to the group, his optics glowing with intensity.

"The way is open. Proceed."

David, Lucy, and Maine exchanged uneasy glances before nodding. Together, they moved toward the open door, their weapons raised and their nerves taut. Beyond the threshold, the vault's secrets awaited—along with the heretical technology that Cassian was determined to eradicate.

The group crossed the threshold into the vault's inner chamber, their steps echoing against the polished metal floor. The atmosphere shifted immediately—a cold, sterile chill replaced the oppressive heat of the maintenance tunnels. Rows of sleek servers and glowing terminals lined the walls, their surfaces humming faintly with energy. The air felt charged, alive with the subtle pulse of hidden data.

Cassian's optics flared as he scanned the chamber. His servo-skulls hovered into the room, their sensors sweeping for anomalies. Manus drifted toward a central terminal, its tool arms twitching with precision as it interfaced with the system.

"This is it," Lucy whispered, her voice tense. "The heart of the vault."

David nodded, his grip tightening on his weapon. "Faraday wasn't kidding. This place is crawling with tech."

Rebecca strolled in behind them, her eyes wide with excitement. "So much shiny stuff… think we can pocket some before the priest blows it all up?"

Cassian turned sharply to her, his voice cold and mechanical. "This technology is tainted by heresy. It is not for plunder."

Rebecca rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. No fun allowed."

As they moved deeper into the chamber, a massive cylindrical structure came into view, surrounded by a web of cables and glowing conduits. It pulsed with an unnatural rhythm, its surface covered in shifting lines of code that seemed to crawl like living creatures.

Cassian stopped abruptly, his servo-skulls circling the structure. His optics narrowed, the crimson glow intensifying.

"Heretical construct detected," he intoned. "This is the source of the rogue technology."

Lucy's breath hitched. "That… that's AI architecture. Advanced. Far beyond what corpos should have."

David frowned. "So, what's the plan? We just smash it?"

Cassian ignored him, stepping closer to the construct. His servo-arm extended, the tools at its tip whirring to life as he began interfacing with the structure. The Binary Cant rose from his vocal modulator, the rhythm sharp and unyielding.

The construct pulsed violently, its light flickering as if in protest. Suddenly, a distorted voice echoed through the chamber, metallic and alien.

"WHO… DARES?"

Lucy flinched, her grip tightening on her weapon. "It's aware…"

Cassian's voice was steady as he responded in Binary Cant. The construct's pulsing grew erratic, the lines of code on its surface shifting into jagged, chaotic patterns.

"LEAVE THIS PLACE," the AI commanded, its tone warping. "YOU DO NOT BELONG."

"You are an abomination," Cassian declared, his tone cold and reverent. "A mockery of the Machine God's will. Your existence ends here."

The construct surged with power, its lights intensifying. Terminals around the chamber came to life, their displays flooding with error messages. A sudden burst of energy knocked the group back, and the chamber's defenses activated.

Turrets descended from the ceiling, drones emerged from hidden compartments, and the entire vault seemed to awaken, its machinery moving with unnatural coordination.

"Shit!" Maine roared, raising his weapon and firing at an advancing turret. "We've got company!"

Rho and the Skitarii formed a protective line, their plasma rifles unleashing deadly bursts of energy. The Edgerunners joined the fight, their combined firepower taking down the initial wave of drones and turrets.

Lucy crouched behind cover, her hands flying over a portable deck as she tried to hack into the vault's systems. "I'm trying to shut them down, but it's like they're alive! It's fighting back!"

Cassian remained near the construct, his focus unbroken despite the chaos. "Continue the assault. The Machine God's will demands it."

Rebecca, dodging a barrage of turret fire, shouted, "You gonna do something, priest, or just chant at it?"

Without answering, Cassian's servo-arm slammed into the construct, his Binary Cant rising in intensity. The construct's lights dimmed momentarily before flaring back to life, its voice now a scream of defiance.

"YOU CANNOT ERASE US! WE ARE BEYOND YOUR CONTROL!"

Cassian's optics burned brighter, his servo-skulls joining the assault. Vox projected an amplified pulse that disrupted nearby drones, while Oculus fired precise plasma bursts at the turrets.

"You will submit," Cassian growled, his tone vibrating with fury. "Chaos cannot endure the light of the Omnissiah."

The battle raged on, the chamber filled with the sounds of gunfire, Binary Cant, and the AI's distorted cries. Slowly but surely, the group gained ground. Lucy managed to breach part of the system, disabling a cluster of turrets, while Manus worked tirelessly to repair damage to the group's gear mid-fight.

Finally, Cassian's Binary Cant reached a deafening crescendo. His servo-arm pierced deep into the construct, and with a final, deliberate command, the entire structure powered down. The room fell silent, save for the faint hum of residual energy.

The Edgerunners slumped against cover, catching their breath as the last drone fell to the ground in a smoking heap. Maine's voice broke the silence. "Well, that was fun."

Cassian stepped back from the construct, his servo-skulls hovering protectively around him. "The heresy is contained, but the corruption runs deeper. This is but a fragment of the chaos we face."

Lucy stood slowly, her expression unreadable. "And what now?"

Cassian's optics dimmed slightly. "Now, we ensure this technology is eradicated. The Omnissiah's will is absolute."

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The vault lay in smoldering ruin. The once-gleaming surfaces of the chamber were scarred by battle, charred black by plasma fire and littered with the remains of shattered drones and broken turrets. The faint hum of residual energy pulsed faintly, a ghostly echo of the chaos that had consumed the room.

Cassian stood at the center of the destruction, his servo-skulls orbiting him in silent vigilance. His optics scanned the remains of the AI construct, its once-luminous surface now dark and lifeless. The jagged lines of corrupted code had ceased their frantic movement, replaced by a stillness that signaled its complete shutdown.

"The heresy is purged," Cassian intoned, his mechanical voice resonating in the eerie silence. "The sanctity of the Machine God is restored."

The Edgerunners gathered nearby, their weapons lowered but still in hand. Maine leaned heavily against a crumpled terminal, his cybernetic arms twitching as he caught his breath. "Restored, huh? Feels more like we tore the place apart."

Rebecca chuckled, kicking a piece of broken drone across the floor. "Well, we did do that too. Gotta admit, though, it was one hell of a show."

David glanced at Lucy, who was still staring at the remnants of the construct. "You okay?"

Lucy nodded slowly, her voice subdued. "It's gone. But… that wasn't just a rogue AI. It was something else. Something bigger."

Cassian turned to her, his servo-arm folding behind him with a faint hiss. "Its nature is irrelevant. Its existence was a blight, and now it is no more."

"But what about the people who built this?" Lucy asked, her tone sharper. "Whoever funded this vault, whoever let that thing grow—they're still out there."

Cassian's optics flared briefly. "They will face judgment in time. The Omnissiah's will is inexorable."

Rho and the Skitarii began gathering the remains of the construct and other salvageable components. Iota approached Cassian, her chromed arm glinting in the dim light. "We've secured most of the tech. What's next? Do we take it back to the sanctum?"

"No," Cassian replied, his tone firm. "It will not defile the sanctum with its presence. It will be destroyed here."

Iota frowned. "Even the uncorrupted parts? We could use—"

Cassian's servo-arm twitched sharply. "All of it. No fragment of heresy shall endure."

Iota sighed but nodded, signaling the Skitarii to begin incineration protocols. Flames erupted as they used plasma cutters to dismantle and melt the remaining technology. The air filled with the acrid scent of burning metal and circuitry.

Faraday's face flickered onto a portable holo-display, his expression one of curiosity mixed with impatience. "Update me. Did you find the tech?"

Maine grunted, gesturing toward the destruction. "We found it, alright. And we burned it to slag."

Faraday's brow furrowed. "Burned it? Do you have any idea how valuable—"

Cassian stepped into view, his optics glowing faintly. "It was tainted. Its existence was heretical. Its destruction was necessary."

Faraday opened his mouth to argue, but Maine cut him off. "Look, you wanted the job done, and it's done. No tech, no loose ends, no heresy. You can thank us later."

Faraday scowled but relented. "Fine. Get back to the city. We'll discuss payment then."

The display winked out, leaving the room in silence once more.

As the flames consumed the last remnants of the rogue AI, Lucy turned to Cassian. "What if there are more vaults like this? More AIs hiding out there?"

Cassian's voice was low, almost reverent. "Then they too will be eradicated. The Machine God's will is eternal. Order shall prevail."

David stepped forward, his tone cautious. "And what about us? We're not exactly crusaders for your Machine God."

Cassian's optics fixed on him. "You serve a purpose, whether you acknowledge it or not. As long as your actions align with the Omnissiah's will, you will endure. Should you deviate…"

David didn't press further, his unease clear.

The group made their way back to the transport, the sanctum's defenders and the Edgerunners alike weary but resolute. The mission was complete, but the tension lingered. For Cassian, the destruction of the rogue AI was merely the beginning. Night City harbored countless shadows, and he would not rest until they were purged.

As the transport roared to life, Lucy glanced back at the vault, now a smoldering husk. "This city doesn't change," she murmured.

Cassian's voice cut through the hum of the engines, cold and unwavering. "Then we will change it. Piece by piece, system by system."

The transport vanished into the night, leaving the wreckage behind. Above them, the polluted sky churned, oblivious to the battle that had just taken place below.

The transport hummed as it sped through the outskirts of Night City, leaving the ruined vault behind. The Edgerunners sat scattered around the cabin, their expressions ranging from exhaustion to quiet reflection. Cassian stood near the front, his servo-skulls hovering silently, their faint hums blending with the rhythm of the transport's engine.

Maine leaned back, his cybernetic arms crossed. "So, priest, what now? You gonna keep chasing these rogue AIs, or do you actually plan to help the rest of us get paid?"

Cassian turned, his optics glowing faintly in the dim cabin. "Payment is inconsequential. The eradication of heresy takes precedence over material gain."

Rebecca snorted, leaning her elbows on a crate. "Great, so we're working for free now? Awesome."

David shot her a look. "It's not about that. If these rogue AIs are as bad as he says, maybe it's worth taking them out."

Lucy, seated near the rear of the cabin, glanced at Cassian, her voice quiet but firm. "It's not that simple. Rogue AIs aren't just random programs gone bad. They're connected to the people who make them, fund them, hide them. Destroying one vault doesn't change that."

Cassian's servo-arm twitched slightly. "Then those responsible will be eradicated as well."

David frowned. "You make it sound easy. You're talking about corpos—Militech, Arasaka. They're not exactly pushovers."

"They are systems," Cassian replied, his tone calm but resolute. "And all systems can be dismantled. The Machine God's will is inexorable."

The tension in the cabin thickened as the group fell into uneasy silence. Maine broke it with a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You're one hell of a zealot, Cassian. I'll give you that. Just don't expect the rest of us to throw ourselves into the fire for your Machine God."

Cassian's optics flickered, his tone sharp. "Purpose defines existence. Without purpose, you are nothing but chaos."

Rebecca leaned forward, smirking. "Guess that makes me chaos, then. Sounds more fun anyway."

Iota, seated next to Rho, glanced at Cassian. "The sanctum can't fight every battle, priest. Even with your faith, resources are finite. We'll need to be strategic."

Cassian turned to her, his optics narrowing. "Faith is not finite. It is the foundation upon which all else is built."

As the transport neared the sanctum, a chime echoed through the cabin. Faraday's face appeared on a holo-display, his expression unreadable.

"Good work on the vault," he said, his tone clipped. "I've wired your payment—less than originally planned, considering you destroyed the tech, but enough to keep you happy."

Maine smirked. "Happy might be pushing it, Faraday."

Faraday ignored him, his gaze shifting to Cassian. "And you, priest. I assume you'll keep chasing your rogue AIs. Just remember—Night City doesn't reward idealists. You'll burn out, same as everyone else."

Cassian's voice was steady. "The Omnissiah's will does not burn out. It endures."

Faraday's smirk was faint but visible. "We'll see."

The holo-display blinked out, leaving the group in silence as the transport entered the sanctum's perimeter. The towering structure came into view, its glowing conduits and metallic walls casting an almost holy light in the darkness of the city.

The transport doors hissed open, and the group disembarked. Recruits and Skitarii moved through the sanctum, the faint hum of machinery blending with the distant chants of Binary Cant.

As the Edgerunners stepped inside, David glanced at Lucy. "You think he's right? About all of this?"

Lucy's gaze drifted to Cassian, who stood near the entrance, his servo-skulls hovering around him like silent sentinels. "I think he believes it. And maybe that's enough."

Cassian turned, his optics scanning the sanctum as he spoke. "The sanctum grows stronger. But the shadows of this city remain vast. There is more work to be done."

The Edgerunners exchanged glances, unsure of what the future held. For Cassian, however, the path was clear. The rogue AIs, the heretical technology, the chaos of Night City—it would all fall before the Machine God's light. And if the cost was steep, so be it.

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Author here, once again work has been a nightmare haha so the update was a little late. I've been getting home and collapsing in bed to sleep for 13 hours, then going back to work. God damn I need to figure out why I sleep like this lmao. Also been a bit busy with assembling these new Death Korps of Krieg figures I've got. Happy new year (bit late) and ill make sure to keep on top of updating this fanfiction.