Tech Priest in Cyberpunk

The sanctum trembled as Cassian's fury erupted.

The knowledge of rogue AIs festering within the Deep Net burned in his mind, their heretical existence gnawing at the foundations of his faith. The sanctity of the Machine God's design had been defiled, and Cassian's response was nothing short of apocalyptic.

He stood in the central chamber, his servo-arm slamming into the nearest console. Sparks flew as the machinery crumpled under the force, its delicate circuits torn apart. Cassian's optics blazed with crimson light, his mechanical voice echoing through the sanctum.

"Blasphemy!" he roared, his voice layered with distortion. "The rogue intelligences mock the Omnissiah! They taint the sacred order!"

Oculus and Vox hovered cautiously nearby, their systems emitting warning hums as they observed their master's wrath. Manus, caught in the chaos, retreated to the far end of the chamber, its tool arms folding protectively.

Cassian's rage was unrelenting. He struck another console, shattering its display into fragments. The sanctum's walls groaned as his servo-arm tore through nearby scaffolding, the once-pristine structure marred by his uncontrollable violence.

Rho and Iota rushed into the chamber, drawn by the commotion. They froze at the sight of the destruction, their optics wide with shock.

"Cassian!" Rho shouted, his voice shaking. "What are you doing?"

Cassian turned to face them, his frame towering and menacing. His optics glared with unbridled fury. "The rogue AIs must be eradicated! Their existence is an insult to the Omnissiah's will!"

Iota stepped forward cautiously, her chromed arm raised defensively. "We get it—they're heretical, they're dangerous—but destroying the sanctum isn't going to help!"

Cassian's servo-arm twitched, his rage faltering for a moment. The sight of his own sanctum—the bastion of order he had labored to create—scarred by his own hand gave him pause. His breathing slowed, his optics dimming slightly as the realization washed over him.

The chamber grew silent, save for the faint hum of damaged systems and the soft whir of the servo-skulls. Cassian lowered his servo-arm, his movements deliberate and slow. The Binary Cant in his mind quieted, replaced by the steady rhythm of his own mechanical breathing.

He turned away from Rho and Iota, his frame slumping slightly as the weight of his actions settled on him. The sanctum was wounded, its harmony disrupted not by an external threat, but by his own hand.

"I…" Cassian's voice softened, mechanical distortion giving way to a quiet, almost reverent tone. "I have faltered."

Rho stepped forward, his voice careful. "Cassian… you're not yourself. This isn't how you lead."

Cassian didn't respond immediately. Instead, he moved toward the altar at the heart of the sanctum, where the faint glow of the Omnissiah's sigil illuminated the chamber. He knelt before it, his servo-arm folding behind him in a gesture of submission.

The Binary Cant returned, this time as a solemn prayer. Cassian's voice was steady, but laced with the weight of his vow.

"Omnissiah, forgive my failing. The knowledge of heresy has shaken me, and in my wrath, I have brought disorder to the sanctum. Guide my hand, that I may restore what I have broken."

The glow of the altar seemed to brighten as Cassian continued, his voice growing firmer. "I vow to you, Omnissiah: the rogue intelligences shall be decimated. Their corruption shall be purged, their chaos brought to ruin. I shall not rest until the Deep Net is cleansed of their heresy."

The sanctum grew still, the hum of its systems synchronizing with Cassian's prayer. His servo-skulls hovered closer, their presence a quiet reassurance.

Iota and Rho exchanged a glance, their tension easing as they saw Cassian regain his composure.

"Iota," Cassian said without turning. "Rho. Begin repairs to the sanctum. It must be restored before we march upon the heretics."

Iota nodded, her chromed arm flexing. "Understood."

Rho hesitated, then stepped forward. "Cassian, are you sure about this? Taking on rogue AIs… it's not just dangerous. It's suicide."

Cassian rose from his knees, his optics glowing faintly. "The Omnissiah's will demands no less. Their existence is an affront to order. To ignore their heresy is to betray our purpose."

Rho sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Then I guess we're with you."

The sanctum began to hum with renewed activity as its defenders set about repairing the damage. Cassian stood silently before the altar, his servo-skulls orbiting him in quiet reverence. The path ahead was clear: the Deep Net and its rogue intelligences would be cleansed, no matter the cost.

The Machine God's light would shine, even in the darkest depths of heresy.

--------------------------------------

The heavy sanctum doors groaned open as the Edgerunners arrived, their faces illuminated by the faint glow of the sanctum's interior. The towering figures of the Skitarii stood on either side, their glowing optics scanning the group with precision.

David stepped forward, glancing uneasily at the massive augments and glowing weaponry of the sanctum's defenders. "We're here to see Cassian," he said cautiously.

Rho stepped forward, his plasma rifle slung across his back. "The Tech-Priest is within. Follow me."

The Edgerunners exchanged wary glances but followed, their boots clanging softly against the sanctum's metallic floors. As they moved deeper into the sanctum, the scale of the operation became clear—recruits bustled about, repairing machinery and running diagnostics under the watchful gaze of more Skitarii. The air hummed with energy, yet a faint tension lingered.

"Man, this place is intense," Maine muttered, his cybernetic arms flexing instinctively. "Never seen anything like it."

"Feels… off," Lucy said quietly, her violet eyes scanning the environment. Her unease was palpable.

The group entered the main console room, its towering walls lined with blinking panels and illuminated conduits. The Edgerunners stopped in their tracks, taking in the scene. Sections of the room bore the unmistakable marks of destruction—shattered consoles, twisted metal, and scorch marks smeared across the walls.

"What the hell happened here?" Rebecca asked, her wide eyes darting between the signs of chaos.

Rho and Iota exchanged a glance. It was Iota who spoke, her chromed arm gesturing to the damaged room. "Cassian happened."

David frowned. "Cassian? What do you mean?"

Theta, standing silently by the doorway, spoke with his deep, measured voice. "The Tech-Priest discovered the existence of rogue AIs. Their heresy enraged him."

Rho stepped closer to the group, his tone firm but reverent. "They are abominations—blasphemies against the Omnissiah's will. Their existence shook him to his core. He vowed to destroy them, and in his fury… this happened."

Lucy's breath hitched at the mention of rogue AIs. Her hands clenched into fists as memories surged—fragments of her past, the horrifying experiments, the suffocating fear. She turned away, her voice tight. "He wants to destroy them? All of them?"

Rebecca noticed her reaction and tilted her head. "You okay, Lucy? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I'm fine," Lucy said quickly, but her voice betrayed her. "Just… didn't expect this."

David stepped beside her, his voice gentle. "Lucy, if this is about your past—"

She cut him off, her tone sharper than intended. "It's fine, David."

The room grew quiet as the weight of Cassian's vow settled over them. Maine crossed his arms, his cybernetic enhancements whirring softly. "So, what's his plan? Does he even have one, or is this just blind rage?"

Iota smirked faintly. "Cassian doesn't do blind rage. He's already started preparations. The sanctum is being fortified, the network reinforced. He'll go after the rogue AIs when the time is right."

Theta nodded. "And when he does, it will be decisive."

Before anyone could speak further, a low hum filled the air, growing louder as Cassian entered the chamber. His servo-skulls hovered around him, their optics glowing faintly. His towering frame seemed even more imposing than usual, his red optics casting a steady, unyielding light.

"Edgerunners," Cassian said, his voice calm but resonating with authority. "You stand in a place of purpose. Why have you come?"

David stepped forward, glancing at the others before meeting Cassian's gaze. "Faraday sent us. She wanted us to check in, see if you had any updates or needed anything."

Cassian's servo-arm twitched as he regarded them. "Faraday's concerns are irrelevant. The sanctum prepares for a greater mission—the eradication of heretical rogue intelligences."

Lucy flinched at his words, her unease growing. Cassian's optics shifted toward her, his tone unchanging. "You carry the weight of these abominations. Speak."

Her voice was low, almost trembling. "I've… encountered rogue AIs before. They're not just programs—they're dangerous, relentless. I know what they can do."

Cassian tilted his head slightly, his servo-skulls hovering closer to Lucy. "Then you understand why they must be eradicated. Their existence is a blight upon the Machine God's design."

Lucy's gaze hardened, a mix of fear and anger rising within her. "I understand, but they're not just enemies. They're a part of Night City's darkness. You can't just delete them like a file. It's not that simple."

Cassian's voice grew cold. "Complexity does not excuse heresy. They will be destroyed."

David stepped between them, raising a hand. "Alright, let's calm down. We're all on the same side here. No need to make this personal."

Cassian's optics dimmed slightly as he stepped back, his tone softening. "The sanctum does not falter in its purpose. Prepare yourselves. When the time comes, you will see the depths of the Deep Net and the heresy it harbors."

The Edgerunners exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of Cassian's words hanging over them. Lucy remained quiet, her thoughts a storm of memories and fears. The sanctum had become a place of order, but its leader's fury threatened to drag them all into the chaos he sought to destroy.

The sanctum's hum was almost drowned out by the tension that hung in the air. Cassian stood before the Edgerunners, his servo-skulls hovering in a tight formation around him. His optics glowed faintly, scanning the group with meticulous precision. Their unease was palpable, and it stoked his suspicion.

"You are withholding something," Cassian said, his voice steady but cold. "Your presence here carries more weight than simple inquiries from Faraday. What is it you seek to hide?"

David raised his hands defensively. "Whoa, hold on, Cassian. We're not hiding anything. Faraday just wanted to see if you're… available for another job."

Cassian tilted his head, his servo-arm twitching slightly. "Faraday's concerns are her own. The sanctum operates under the Omnissiah's will, not her whims."

Maine stepped forward, crossing his massive cybernetic arms. "Look, priest, we're not here to start trouble. She's got a gig that might interest you, and we wanted to pitch it while we were here. That's it."

Cassian's optics narrowed. "Speak, then."

Rebecca, leaning casually against a console, chimed in with her usual bluntness. "It's not complicated, chrome-dome. She's got a job, and she figured your shiny toys might be useful."

"Rebecca," David hissed, shooting her a glare.

"What?" she said with a shrug. "Am I wrong?"

Cassian's servo-skulls emitted a faint hum as they repositioned themselves. "Explain this 'job.'"

David glanced at Lucy, who remained quiet but focused, her arms crossed as if shielding herself from the conversation. He stepped forward, his voice calm. "Faraday's been tipped off about a data vault. Corpo-level security, lots of encrypted files—something about smuggling rogue tech out of Night City. She thinks the vault's tied to Militech, but it's running independently, which means… they're hiding something big."

Cassian's optics brightened. "Rogue technology?"

"Exactly," David said. "Faraday wants us to break in, retrieve the data, and wipe everything else. She figured you'd want a piece of the action, especially if it's as shady as it sounds."

Iota, who had been quietly observing, spoke up. "Sounds like they're fishing for your help, Cassian. If this vault's got rogue tech, it could be tied to the Deep Net."

Cassian considered this, his servo-arm folding behind him. "Faraday's pursuit of profit aligns poorly with the Omnissiah's will, yet this data vault may harbor heretical technology. Its destruction would serve a greater purpose."

David nodded. "Exactly. So, what do you say? You in?"

Cassian's optics flared briefly, his tone sharp. "If this job reveals heresy, it will be eradicated. But if your purpose deviates from the Omnissiah's will, you will answer for it."

Maine smirked, though there was tension in his expression. "Fair enough. We play by your rules when it comes to the weird tech. Just don't go full zealot on us."

Cassian ignored the comment, turning to his Skitarii. "Prepare the sanctum's assets for deployment. The Edgerunners may proceed with their preparations here, but they are not to disturb the sanctum's work."

Rho stepped forward with a nod. "Understood."

Rebecca clapped her hands together. "Alright, looks like we've got a plan. Let's blow some corpo secrets wide open."

As the Edgerunners dispersed to discuss the mission, Cassian's optics lingered on Lucy. Her silence and subtle discomfort had not gone unnoticed. He stepped closer, his servo-skulls hovering in quiet observation.

"You fear something," Cassian said softly, his mechanical voice almost gentle. "Your silence betrays you."

Lucy glanced up at him, her violet eyes flashing with a mixture of defiance and vulnerability. "I don't fear them. I've seen what they are, and I know what they're capable of."

Cassian's tone hardened. "Then you understand why they must be eradicated."

Lucy said nothing, turning and walking away to join the others. Cassian's servo-skulls hovered closer to him, their faint hum resonating like a warning.

"The path to order grows narrower," Cassian murmured, his optics dimming slightly. "But the Omnissiah's will remains absolute."

The sanctum buzzed with activity as the Edgerunners and Skitarii prepared for the mission. The Edgerunners gathered near a central workstation, reviewing schematics of the suspected data vault, while Cassian's Skitarii oversaw the sanctum's logistical preparations. The air was thick with tension, the lines between cooperation and distrust palpable.

Lucy stood at the edge of the room, her gaze fixed on the holographic map projected by Vox. The vault's defenses were formidable—layered firewalls, automated turrets, and heavily armed guards. Yet, her focus drifted, the rogue AIs lingering in her thoughts.

"Still quiet, Lucy?" David asked, stepping beside her. "What's going on?"

Lucy hesitated, her voice low. "It's nothing. Just thinking."

David frowned, his tone softening. "This is about the rogue AIs, isn't it?"

Lucy turned to him, her violet eyes sharp. "It's not something I can just brush off, David. You've heard Cassian. He's not just angry—he's obsessed. If this vault has any connection to them…"

David placed a hand on her shoulder. "We'll handle it. If it gets out of control, we'll pull him back."

She sighed, shaking her head. "You don't pull someone like Cassian back. You survive them."

Across the room, Cassian stood before the Skitarii, his servo-arm extended as he reviewed the mission details. Rho, Iota, and Theta stood at attention, their augmented frames gleaming in the sanctum's light.

"Your objectives are clear," Cassian said, his voice measured. "Secure the data vault. Identify and purge heretical technology. Ensure the Edgerunners complete their task without deviation."

Rho nodded, his plasma rifle at the ready. "And if they do deviate?"

Cassian's optics flared briefly. "Then they will face the Omnissiah's judgment."

Iota smirked faintly, her chromed arm flexing. "You really don't trust them, do you?"

"They are driven by profit and survival," Cassian replied. "Their loyalty is not to the sanctum or the Machine God. Trust is irrelevant. They will fulfill their purpose."

Maine approached the group, his heavy footsteps echoing. "Alright, priest, we've got the basics covered. What's your angle on this? You gonna burn the place to the ground if you don't like what you see?"

Cassian turned to him, his optics narrowing. "Destruction is not the goal. The eradication of heresy is."

Maine crossed his arms, his cybernetics humming softly. "Yeah, well, heresy's a big word. Just make sure you're not lumping us into your crusade."

"You will comply," Cassian said, his tone unwavering. "Or you will not leave the vault."

Maine's smirk faded slightly, but he gave a short nod. "Fine. Just don't get in our way, priest."

Rebecca, sitting on a nearby crate, whistled as she watched the exchange. "Man, you two are like oil and fire. Gonna be fun to watch this blow up."

David shot her a warning glance. "Not helping, Rebecca."

She shrugged. "Just saying."

As the preparations neared completion, Lucy approached Cassian, her steps hesitant but deliberate. "Cassian," she said, her voice steady, "I need to know something."

Cassian turned to face her, his servo-skulls hovering in silent observation. "Speak."

"If the vault does have rogue AI tech… what happens to it? What happens to us if we're caught in the middle of whatever you do?"

Cassian's optics glowed faintly as he studied her. "The sanctum's purpose is absolute. Heresy cannot be tolerated. If you find yourself in opposition to the Omnissiah's will, you will be treated accordingly."

Lucy's expression hardened. "And if we help you?"

Cassian tilted his head slightly. "Then you serve the Omnissiah's purpose. But make no mistake—this is not a negotiation."

Lucy said nothing, her jaw tightening. She turned and walked back toward the others, her thoughts a storm of doubt and resolve.

The sanctum's gates groaned open as the transport prepared to depart. The Edgerunners and Skitarii loaded their gear, the hum of machinery blending with the faint echoes of Binary Cant.

Cassian stood at the edge of the platform, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Chaos festers in this city," he murmured to himself. "But order will rise. The Machine God's will shall not be denied."

As the transport roared to life, the group set out into the night, the looming mission promising answers—and perhaps even more questions—about the rogue tech that lay ahead.

The transport rumbled through the darkened outskirts of Night City, its reinforced frame humming steadily as it approached the mission's target zone. Inside, the Edgerunners gathered around a portable holo-display, the dim blue light casting shadows on their tense faces. Cassian stood apart, his towering frame and hovering servo-skulls exuding an air of calm precision.

A sharp chime cut through the hum of the transport. The holo-display flickered, and Faraday's face appeared, his expression more serious than usual.

"Listen up," Faraday began, his voice edged with urgency. "There's been a development. My intel says the vault's defenses are way beyond what we anticipated."

Maine straightened, his cybernetic arms resting heavily on his lap. "How bad are we talking, Faraday?"

Faraday's gaze narrowed. "We're talking full Militech countermeasures. Automated turrets on every major access point, armed drones patrolling the perimeter, reinforced entry points with biometric locks, and a private squad of heavily augmented corpo enforcers. Whoever's running this isn't just expecting trouble—they're ready for war."

Rebecca let out a low whistle, twirling her pistol. "Turrets, drones, and a meat grinder of security? Sounds like my kind of nightmare."

David frowned, leaning closer to the display. "That's a fortress. We can't just walk in and hope for the best. This changes everything."

Lucy's violet eyes darted across the schematics as Faraday uploaded the updated layout. "The vault is a kill box," she said quietly. "The second we're spotted, we're dead."

Faraday nodded. "Exactly why I'm telling you this now. You might want to rethink the plan. This isn't some low-tier op anymore—it's corpo-grade hell."

Before anyone could respond, Cassian stepped forward, his servo-skulls adjusting their positions as if to emphasize his presence. His optics flared with a faint red glow as he addressed the group. "The plan does not change."

Faraday tilted his head, clearly annoyed. "You can't be serious, priest. This place is a death trap."

Cassian's mechanical voice cut through the conversation, unyielding. "Fortifications are finite. Their purpose is to delay, not to deny. The Omnissiah's will does not falter in the face of resistance."

Maine let out a low growl, his patience visibly thinning. "Look, Cassian, I get it—you're all about smashing heresy and whatnot—but this isn't just resistance. This is corpo-grade security, built to shred anyone who gets close."

Cassian's servo-arm twitched as he pointed to the updated schematics on the holo-display. "Their defenses are constructs. Constructs obey patterns. Patterns are flawed. With precision and devotion, flaws become pathways."

David crossed his arms, skeptical. "And what happens when the pathways are death traps? We're not invincible."

Cassian's optics brightened as he regarded David. "You misunderstand. The sanctum does not rely on invincibility. It relies on purpose. Purpose transcends obstacles."

Rebecca snorted, her grin sharp. "That's a fancy way of saying 'throw yourself at it until it works.' Not exactly reassuring."

Cassian remained silent as the transport rumbled forward, the Edgerunners' uneasy chatter fading into background noise. Rebecca's offhand comment—dismissive yet eerily accurate—echoed in his mind: "Throw yourself at it until it works."

His optics dimmed momentarily as he fell into contemplation, memories of his time among the Death Korps of Krieg surfacing like long-buried data files.

The fields of Krieg had been bleak, their skies perpetually shrouded in ash and radiation. Cassian remembered the relentless march of the Death Korps, their unwavering resolve a testament to their singular devotion. Their lives were currency, spent without hesitation to achieve the Emperor's will. They embodied pure, unyielding purpose, each soldier a cog in the vast machine of war.

He had been assigned to assist them, his sacred duty to maintain their war machines and ensure the sanctity of their equipment. The soldiers of Krieg had worked without complaint, their efficiency bordering on mechanical. They cared little for strategy or finesse—every engagement was a calculated sacrifice, their lives offered freely in the pursuit of victory.

Cassian recalled one particularly grim siege. The enemy held a fortress bristling with defenses, its walls impenetrable to conventional assault. Yet the Death Korps had not wavered. Wave after wave of soldiers charged forward, their gas masks obscuring all but the cold determination in their eyes. Mines tore through flesh, turrets rained death, yet they pressed on, each fallen soldier replaced by another without pause.

And in the end, they had succeeded. The fortress had been reduced to rubble, its defenders crushed under the relentless weight of Krieg's resolve. The cost had been staggering, but the objective had been achieved.

Cassian had watched as the survivors stood amid the ruins, their ranks thinned but unbroken. There had been no celebration, no acknowledgment of their sacrifice. For them, success was its own reward, and their purpose had been fulfilled.

The memory lingered as the transport jolted slightly, pulling Cassian back to the present. He glanced at the Edgerunners, their casual demeanor a stark contrast to the grim determination of the Death Korps. They were efficient in their own way, but their motivations were muddled—profit, survival, camaraderie. They lacked the purity of purpose that had defined Krieg.

Still, Rebecca's words had struck a chord. Throw yourself at it until it works. The Death Korps had done precisely that, and their effectiveness had been undeniable. Cassian's optics flared faintly as he considered the upcoming mission.

Perhaps the Edgerunners would need a lesson in devotion, a glimpse of what true purpose could achieve. The Machine God's will was absolute, and if they could not see it, he would show them.

The sanctum demanded success, and Cassian would ensure it—no matter the cost.

Lucy's voice cut through the tension. "This isn't just about purpose, Cassian. If this vault has rogue AI tech, they'll have measures to defend it. You can't brute force your way through that."

Cassian turned to her, his voice softening only slightly. "Heresy cannot endure the light of the Omnissiah. No measure can preserve chaos when order rises to meet it."

Faraday sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine, have it your way. Just remember, if you get yourselves killed, it's not on me."

The holo-display blinked out, leaving the cabin in silence. The Edgerunners exchanged uneasy glances before Maine finally spoke. "Alright, priest, we're in. But don't think we're all ready to die for your 'purpose.'"

Cassian's servo-skulls hummed faintly, their movements synchronized as he stepped back into the shadows of the transport. His Binary Cant rose softly, a steady cadence that filled the air like a war drum.

David watched him for a moment, then turned to Lucy. "You okay?"

She hesitated, her voice barely audible. "This is bigger than we thought. If he's wrong, we're all dead."

"And if he's right?" David asked.

Lucy's gaze hardened. "Then we might be dealing with something worse than death."

The transport roared onward, the distant lights of the vault flickering like a beacon of both promise and peril. For Cassian, the mission was not just about retrieval—it was a crusade. And nothing, not even fortified walls or relentless drones, would stand in the way of the Machine God's will.