Malechta's Treatise upon the Line of Saro.

Fifty Third Volume, Chapter Twenty Six

In the Last Chapter the details of the initial meeting with Captain Jalasas were given, and the importance of that meeting explained. However the second larger meeting, known to Historians as the Meeting of Five Factions was were the crew of the Seleucaemi Treasurer began to understand the interplays of power on the Fall of Dorn.

Understanding that the Leaders of the Factions would possibly not find meeting on the Aquila lander acceptable Macharius had the armsmen set up an opulent tent before the Aquila. Placing a huge banqueting table in the tent complete with comfortable seats, the door to the Aquila being left open for more private meetings. There the officers and the Armsmen Talis Saro had sent to the Fall of Dorn waited until the representatives of the five largest factions began to arrive.

The first to arrive was Captain Jalasas, once again flanked by his combat servitors. He explained that he had put the word out to the other great factions. He also offered some advice, that not all of the great factions were the sort of people that they would find it easy to do business with. Of the five great factions, The Megiddo, Fuellers, and Tick Tock men were what he considered to be Factions that business could be done with, while the Hullrats were most likely not what the officers were looking for. The Hullrats he explained were a new force on the Fall of Dorn, having been brought together by their leader Von Hells. However as Jalasas told Macharius Von Hells was not a trader but a taker.

Soon the officers were able to see for themselves as three men walked him, two scrawny men in furs and one giant of a man. He wore his hair in a long braid and carried both a huge axe, seemingly made from a chunk of hull plate sharpened down one edge and mounted in a reinforced spar, and on his hip a plasma pistol, albeit much less well made than the similar weapon usually found on Talis Saro's hip. Unknown to this man, who was it was later revealed was indeed Von Hells, both the Astropath and the Navigator were checking each and every person who entered. Given the fraught nature of the Fall of Dorn's trip through the Tempest of Graves there was the possibility some of the people of the ship had been tainted by the warp. However none of the members of the factions were found to have been so tainted.

The Officers were forced to watch a strained exchange between Jalasas and Von Hells as they paced around each other like Everian Pit Beasts preparing to set their Venom-claws. It was obvious to all that Von Hells and Jalasas neither liked nor trusted each other, and Von Hells was quick to ensure that the officers were told that he believed Jalasas would no doubt tell them lies about him, and that Jalasas' time as one of the ascendant powers of the Fall of Dorn was coming to an end. However the Officers quickly took the measure of the man as Von Hells took himself to the head of the table claiming the spot that normally the host would have taken. Such brashness however was slightly lessened by the fact that Captain Jalasas' combat servitors constantly and very obviously kept updating their targeting solutions on the barbarian from the Lower holds.

Having gotten the two enemies settled at opposite ends of the tent, the next person to enter some 20 minutes later was somewhat of a welcome distraction. The self-styled High Architect Techmagos Bosphorus was not at the time what you would normally expect of the position he laid claim of. Instead bereft of the normal support of the Techpriesthood Techpriest Bosphorus had been unable to advance in the normal manner, and to prevent a serious schism in the adherents of the Omnissiah present on the Fall of Dorn had been forced to claim the title of Magos and augment himself in a somewhat less than usual manner. Mounted on four massive piston legs Bosphorus was more akin to a Dreadnought of the Adeptus Astartes, his fleshy body mounted within a metal body, mounted with two huge crushing arms and lighter manipulator arms. Flanked by two smaller techpriests with bladed arms, it was obvious to those adherents of the Omnissiah (Luna and Macharius both) that Bosphorus was not a Magos He lacked the Logis Implants and the fine cybernetics that would normally have been his right. Bosphorus however seemed aware of this showing proper deference to their Magos at all times.

Realising that the support of the Tick Tock Men would be required if any progress was to be made, Macharius greeted Bosphorus warmly. However as would have been expected of any highly ranked techpriest Bosphorus was unswayed by such flattery, remarking that he was present to conduct business. Adding only that the Officers would be best not to deal too closely with the fuellers, who he noted were both untrustworthy and useless. He then proceeded to one corner of the table and lowered himself to the level of the table.

The next group of people to join the meeting were three men wearing grey robes with large hoods. Despite their lack of overt armour they were well defended, with the High Enginseer easily recognising the high frequency vibrations common to the presence of some form of power field. They were however exceedingly well armed, the two guardians carried plasma guns, which although worn were well repaired. The leader meanwhile carried some form of combination of a Storm-bolter and some other weapon, as yet unidentified. They introduced themselves as the representatives of the Megiddo, the weapon-smiths of the ship. Thanking Macharius for his warm welcome they proceeded to the closest seats and settled into them.

The Final representative to arrive was Chymist Hulang of the Fuellers. Flanked by two flame-thrower wielding guards, all three were dressed in the robes of the Techpriesthood, but only Hulang had any cybernetic enhancements, with two mechadendrites protruding from his robes. All of the men fairly reeked of volatile chemicals however, no doubt from their means of employment. Unlike every other emissary however he crossed swiftly to Macharius and proceeded to greet him exceedingly warmly, remarking that he looked forward to doing a great deal of business with them in the future. However a certain coldness suffused the air as Hulang and Bosphorus caught sight of each other, proving that the dislike was definitely mutual.

With all of the representatives present, Luna stationed her servoskull outside the tent to watch over the Cordon of Jalasas' men holding back the crowds. The Choirmaster and Navigator once more used their strange powers in secret but again none of the people present were found to be corrupt.

The servants of the Line of Saro are well versed in diplomacy and as such Macharius knew full well the effect that fine food would have on men who perhaps had not seen good food in many years. More importantly as any good servant will tell you the manner in which a person eats will tell you a great deal about them. Bosphorus as would have been expected for a techpriest was unmoved by the quality of the food, but did take the amasec no doubt to use as fuel for his cybernetics. Jalasas meanwhile ate sparingly from the food, as did Chymist Hulang although he picked at it a great deal more. The representative of the Megiddo first passed the food to one of his guards who tasted it and then he ate it like a normal person. Von Hells meanwhile fell upon the food like a ravening beast, indeed when it became obvious that Bosphorus was not intending to eat his food Von Hells took that also and devoured it throwing the bones over his shoulder to his guards who caught them and picked them clean.

Macharius began to speak greeting them but was swiftly interrupted by Bosphorus, who urged him to speak plainly and come to the point. This directness was refreshing to Macharius more used to endless dances of subterfuge and lies. As such Macharius began to explain the situation, that their ships were now locked together and most likely would never be separated. However as he noted the Seleucaemi treasurer had a great number of supplies that the Fall of Dorn perhaps would be interested in. Von Hells was indeed interested, demanding to know what they were offering.

Not wanting to reveal the full depth of the Treasurers holds, he began with the least of their potential trade goods, offering Corpsestarch the staple food of the Imperium. However Hulang noted that this would not actually solve any of the Fall of Dorn's problems or the issues now raised by the two ships proximity. Hulang tried however to probe Macharius trying to find out what exactly the Line of Saro's intentions were. However when Macharius avoided the questions, Hulang noted that a paranoid man might consider the meeting here nothing more than a scouting mission trying to work out who was a good prospect for raiding. Von Hells seemed to relish the prospect boasting that any such attack would fail and his counter attack would result in their Corpsestarch belong instead to him. Seizing the advantage offered, Jalasas remarked that this was Von Hells usual mode of action, taking whatever he wanted from whoever he thought he could beat. Von Hells response meanwhile was very telling noting that sometime very soon the Hullrats and not the Greenshots would run the markets. Many of the groups wanted to know what it was that the Officers of Talis Saro wanted.

As veterans of such negotiations the officers of the Seleucaemi Treasurer were well versed in the various tactics for the persuasion of potential trade partners. To aid them in this endeavour Macharius had previously discussed a plan with his master which he now revealed, telling them that 5 tons of Corpsestarch would be provided to them to show that they traded in good faith, for distribution to the crew. However Von Hells immediately stated that he would prefer to receive 'his' ton of food to do with as he pleased. The representative of the Megiddo however shrewdly noted that this had distracted everyone from the question of what they wanted.

Given that each faction had different aims and trade goods Macharius determined to see each separately, a plan which would also allow them to speak plainly about their needs and their relations to the other factions. Indeed this plan immediately bore fruit as Von Hells brashly demanded to be seen first, ignoring the other delegates he pushed to the fore. Macharius sensing the potential to lure the barbarian into speaking far more plainly than he would otherwise have done.

The Officers, Von Hells and his guards went into the lander to conduct their meeting, leaving the door to the tent open. With his now expected brashness he marched to the head of the table and threw himself down into the seat there. Macharius and the other officers allowed him to do as he pleased and arranged themselves around the table. The Aquila had regularly been used for such meetings and had excellent vox recorders. Therefore the records of the meetings have been saved for posterity.

Although many historians have examined these recordings, very few have actually presented them as they occurred. It is my intention however to rectify this, as only by doing so can the true skill of the treasurers officers in negotiations can be seen.

To set the scene once more therefore. Von Hells positioned himself at the head of the table, with his two guards positioned behind him. In the sweeter air of the Lander the stench of the greasy furs he wore slowly filling the place. No doubt those furs had been torn from some lower hold beasts, and indeed the smell of the lower holds were upon all three men. At the other end of the room sat the officers with their armsmen behind them. Von Hells had barely sat in place before he started talking.

“Let me explain something for you. No doubt Jalasas has been filling your head about the Hullrats however I will give you the truth about what is going on. Jalasas and his lot have grown into rich men controlling the market and the lighter bay. He doesn't care about the small people of the ship, he cares only about amassing more and more wealth and he has done that. I meanwhile have fought my way up from the bilges. I have many more men than any of the other factions. Actually I have more men that any two of those factions out there. I have managed this by conquest, and I have moved to the Lower holds while doing so. My men have been forged into a powerful force”

“I see you are a man of vision” Macharius responded with the intent to provoke the man to boast further.

“Indeed, and soon these markets will be mine. Jalasas claims anyone can trade in the markets, anyone but the Hullrats it seems. We are being harassed at every turn. Is this the sort of man you wish to deal with? A man who will say one thing then later on turn and screw you if he sees a chance to profit. But I am more interested in what you want, whatever it is I am sure I have the men to get it.”

“So you control the bulk of the ships crew?” Macharius said once more leading the man as a trader would lead a Grox to the information he most wanted.

“I control a large number of fighting men and women, we are by far and away the largest military force left on the ship. We control the lower decks, and very soon we will also control the lighter bays.”

“What do you have to trade besides bodies?”

“You misunderstand. We have been kept artificially poor by Jalasas and his ilk. The only things we have we have taken by force. Why do you think we are so desperate to take the lighter bays? It will be exceedingly expensive to take these bays, but we can do it, and once we do we will finally have the riches that Jalasas and his men have squirrelled away over the years. Then me and mine will have all that we need. If you need a fighting force then We are it.”

“What would you want in exchange?” Macharius asked eager to provoke the man to make further pronouncements.

“Well that depends. The Chemist raises a good point, what is it that you actually want because I don't think coming here and trading with us is what you really are here to do. Someone of your stature? I don't buy it. That lot may think I am an idiot but I am cleverer than they think. So what is it, will you come and try and take over the Dorn? Set yourself up as a tinpot dictator?”

Obviously this was not the intent of the Officers as they knew of the impending impact with the Hulk. Macharius worked swiftly to allay the barbarians fears.

“We have no desire to enter your vessel and carve out a kingdom there, given a potential neighbour of your stature. We came to see the people of the ship and take a measure of them.”

“Well what I have is a vast number of fighting men, and my measure is that I am a person not like those few out there. They are rich and foppish whereas, if you make a deal with me I will keep it, I will not try and screw you over later.” responded Von Hells.

Macharius recognising the posturing of earlier told the man that he would bear it in mind. Having ascertained that they would be able to contact the hullrats should the need arise.

The meeting over Von Hells made a great deal of showing that it had gone well thanking Macharius effusively. Macharius meanwhile made sure that the other delegates realised the meeting had not been such a success as Von Hells was making out. That done, the officers retired to the lander to discuss Von Hells.

The general feeling was that for all Von Hells fine words he was not to be trusted, and they would rather deal with Jalasas over him. However if Von Hells were no longer in command of his men, they could make use of them no doubt. Already however a plan was taking shape in their minds as to how they would bring this to an acceptable end. Given Von Hells intentions with regards to the markets, the officers considered that offering to help Jalasas defending them would go a long way to ingratiate themselves with him. With regards to the other factions however they were less sure. The Megiddo in particular they were unsure of and so it was decided that they would be spoken to next.

The representative of the Megiddo entered the Aquila and sat down in the chair offered by Macharius, placing in front of him a storm-bolter of unique make which seemed to include a single shot Meltagun. His guards meanwhile took position to cover the entire room with their weapons. Although their weapons were not raised it was obvious to all present that they were skilled warriors. Dressed in their grey robes the Megiddo looked almost like priests.

Macharius began by asking them the origin of their factions name.

“The Macrobatteries upon the Fall of Dorn are Megiddo class macrobatteries. Our holdings are the munitorums of those batteries and we use the macrobattery shells to produce the weaponry that we make.”

“I see” responded Macharius “ and how is your faction organised”

“We are not numerous but everyone in the Megiddo has a say. I and the Councillors are all elected. Each Councillor is voted for by their section, once every 500 days. However I have been elected for the last 8 elections. Indeed it is not often that the line up changes.”

Macharius eager to find out more about them and their connections to the other factions followed with “So can you tell us what you think of the others?”

“I do not think that it is really my place to speak on the peccadillos of the other factions. We make weapons and provide them to the other factions. We vote on how much of our stock to trade, how many of our shells to break down to produce weapons from, and how much of our stock to keep, refurbish, or trade.”

Such modes of conduct are actually normal amongst ship crews but to the Astropath this seemed alien and he was unable to stop himself remarking “This sounds like a lot of Red Tape”

Sometimes an unguarded word can be as effective a tool as a well chosen diplomatic pronouncement. What the Astropath's unguarded words revealed was very obvious. The representative of the Megiddo thought very highly of their method of organisation. His eyes narrowed and he regarded the Astropath with a cold stare, “It works” was his only response.

“How long does it take to complete a project for example” the choir master pressed.

“That depends on the project. Breaking down a macrobattery shell is not exactly easy”

“Do you have many clashes with the other factions?” asked Macharius changing the subject lest the man be pressed too far.

“Not really they know better than to try and attack the Megiddo. Our holdings are effectively reinforced bunkers for holding Macrobattery shells, and of course we have a large number of weapons.”

Having distracted the Man Macharius once again turned back to the question at hand, “What do the other factions think of your idea of equality?”

“Most factions do not bother to get involved in other factions internal workings, certainly not ours as long as they can trade with us, they care only about the weapons. We have to trade with the others, we don't have the equipment to grrow food, or make fuel, or build technology other than weapons. We have the armouries to break down the shells and we use the propellants for other things. The Shells we cut those down into smaller chunks to make ammunition but we'd be hard pushed to say turn the metal into a servitor you'd need the Tick Tock Men for that.”

Pleased with his answers Macharius turned back to the matter at hand, trade.

“What could we of the Seleucaemi Treasurer offer you?”

Once again the Megiddo representative proved himself a shrew trader with his response.

“That depends on what your intentions are. We of the Megiddo are not looking to make living in the Graveswarm a permanent fixture. I believe that Jalasas mentioned you would be looking in the 'swarm for another vessel. If this is the case then the question becomes what is your intention regarding this vessel”

“Salvage” responded the Choirmaster, once again attempting to goad the man.

“I see, to cannibalise this vessel to get this other vessel you intend to find to work.” It was obvious that this pronouncement had not gone well.

Ichigo immediately stepped in to defuse the situation, “It is our intention to Leave. Currently we will need help for this.”

“That is marginally better than cutting this vessel up to repair this mythical vessel. Given that our vessels are very unlikely to leave this place you might want to make overtures to the Tick Tock Men as they have close contact with the Lighteyes who control the Sensorium as they might be able to help you find the ship you seek. They obviously do not run the sensors 24/7 due to the power drain but they do run weekly sweeps.”, the representatives voice was certainly colder than before but he was at least still giving them useful information.

Macharius was very nearly finished but there was at least one more thing that he needed to know before he could finish.

“Given you control the Munitorums do you also control the Macrobatteries?” He asked.

“No we have the ammunition, but several different factions control the various gun decks. Mostly the Macrobatteries are not fired, usually they are only used to fire on large pieces of debris that will hit the ship. We receive word of the debris from the lighteyes and provide the nearest battery with two shells. They use the first shell to destroy the debris and then they get to keep the other. Usually they sell it back to us and we break it down to make weapons.”

Macharius nodded to himself, then asked “So you wish to leave the Graveswarm if we located a vessel that could do this thing, would you be willing to serve under another captain.”

“Currently we serve under no captain, but if we were allowed to continue as we are we could offer your our expertise. I do have a question of my own.” The Megiddo representative seemed somewhat uncomfortable to bring up the subject, “Did the Hullrats make any overtures towards you?”

“They mentioned they have a large body of men, and that things will soon change” responded the Treasurers First Officer.

“They have had ten years of stagnant air and filth down there in the bilges and they are effectively an army of the downtrodden. You could see how they would want to take the lighter bays. I am not exactly willing to trade with them to allow them to take over the bays. I wouldn't trust them with the bays. We haven't yet agreed to provide the vast amount of weapons that Con Hells wants but I get the impression that if I do the Greenshots will be wiped from the face of the Fall of Dorn in a day,. He could possibly do it without the weapons, but it might cost him a lot of men.”

Macharius nodded to himself, understanding the interplay the man opposite him was explaining. “Surely if they did that they would attract the attention of the other factions looking to topple them however.”

“Well that is effectively why the Greenshots are in the position they are currently in. They have held the Lighter bays for a very long time and every time they fight off another attacker they become weaker and weaker. They used to be a macrobattery faction, and we had a very bad time with debris heading towards the ship. Jalasas took the shells and they chose to return the spares in return for weapons. The previous holders of the markets, the Cutters were not... Fair traders shall we say. Jalasas determined that the bays would be better placed in his hands, and it has to be said he has ensured that most people can at least trade fairly in the markets.”

“Most people?” Ichigo asked.

“Of late he has been harassing the Hullrats of late. If they are spotted trading with us suddenly we are required by the Greenshots to audit our stock or similar.”

Once again the Astropath spoke up, “What would you have to offer us on a new vessel?”

“We are very good technicians, assuming this new ship has weapons you will still need someone to calibrate the guns.”

“Well”, the Astropath responded, “I am sure any faction would have something to offer us.”

“Indeed, but you were asking about mine.”

Realising that the Astropath's tactic was not working as he intended to provoke the Megiddo to reveal his real nature, Macharius drew the meeting to a swift close.

Given the information the Megiddo had given them about the Lighteyes they decided to speak with Tech Magos Architect Bosphorus of the Tick Tock Men next.

“Magos” Bosphorus was a mighty man, much more like a Dreadnought of the Adeptus Astartes. The augmetics of his body may have been crude in comparison to the High Enginseers but he had wasted no effort. He had a huge body supported on his four piston legs, and as he entered the Aquila the ramp actually showed signs of the weight it was coping with. His guard meanwhile, seemed to move with an inhuman gait, no doubt due to their augmetics. Bosphorus spoke in a monotonous but powerful voice, which emanated from a grill mounted in his chest.

“Begin your speech.”

As before Macharius found the direct nature of Bosphorus' speech refreshing, and therefore launched directly to business.

“It has come to my attention that you have contact with a group known as the Lighteyes”

“The Lighteyes are a faction in their own right and I do have contact with them”, rumbled the venerable Techpriest, “They occasionally require real Techpriests to repair and maintain their equipment. Sometimes the Laity are enough but sometimes you need a real Techpriest.”

Macharius and the officers had already discussed their intentions with regards to the Tick Tock Men, and realising their connection to the Lighteyes and the likelihood of them finding out about the impending impact they had determined to tell them themselves.

Macharius therefore in the manner of Bosphorus himself cut straight to the core.

“Let us explain, our travel through the tempest of graves and the resultant collision has caused a shifting of our trajectories. No doubt you are aware that off our bows lies a hulk. Unfortunately we will now impact with it.”

“I see, at which point I must say that any deal made with us will include me and my Priesthoods removal from this vessel and onto any vessel that you may gain. Also I would request that you include me into your Techpriesthood in some fashion”

Although very little of the High Enginseers face was still flesh Bosphorus must have spotted a slight arching of her eyebrows as he immediately pushed on with a surprising admission.

“I am aware that I am not technically a Magos however this is due to the fact that we have been present in this place for the past ten years and as such have been unable to progress in the usual methods. I should tell you that in three days the Lighteyes will perform their weekly scan and they will tell everyone on the ship as that is what they are paid for.”

This was an important piece of information and the Astropath, Omar requested they explain who paid them for the information.

“Most of the factions who have any interest in where the ship is and where it is going. The Larger factions certainly and most probably the gun deck factions. The Greenshots pay the most of course to locate places they could raid for supplies.”

“Would you be able to provide us with a meeting with the Lighteyes?” pressed Omar doggedly.

“Almost certainly, pursuant to our own deal of course.”

“As you said you would wish to be taken to another ship should one be found?” asked Macharius.

“Yes, I and my priesthood would need to be moved from this ship and I would prefer to be included in the existing heirachy. Currently on this ship we keep the life support and other systems of the ship running, mostly by cannibalising other parts of the ship. Hence the relative crudity of my cybernetic implants. We have had to make do with items we can salvage from the vessel for a very long time. Unfortunately we have been prevented from taking over full control of the technical well being of the ship, due to the Fuellers monopoly on the production of fuel. Originally I was a techpriest in the main sensorium, if we move to a new ship I would prefer to be placed in charge of the sensorium.”

Understanding the request Macharius changed the subject wary of giving too much away without getting something in return.

“We will need to find a new ship first.”

“The Lighteyes may be able to help with that. If there is a ship out there they will no doubt have seen it. I can arrange a meeting with them providing I have you agreement to my requests”

“How many techpriests do you have” asked the high Enginseer with a bluntness mirroring that of Bosphorus.

“Approximately 500 priests and laity all told.”

The exchange over he left, and the Officers prepared for a likely more unpleasant interview, that with the Fuellers.

To Be Continued