Tech Priest in Cyberpunk

Two weeks had passed since Cassian had begun his work on the manufactorum. Though far from finished, the transformation was already evident. The structure pulsed with life, its systems humming with newfound purpose. The once-abandoned manufactorum now stood as a fledgling sanctum of the Machine God, its industrial halls repurposed into a shrine to order and precision.

Jexa approached the towering entrance cautiously, the smog of the industrial district swirling around her as she squinted up at the imposing doors. Intricate engravings adorned the metal, patterns of cogs and circuitry that seemed to shimmer faintly under the flickering neon light. She hesitated for a moment, feeling a strange weight in the air, then knocked firmly.

The doors groaned, their mechanisms whirring softly as they opened of their own accord. Jexa stepped back, startled, her hand instinctively moving toward the concealed weapon at her side. As the doors yawned open, she was struck by the sight within.

The interior was vast, illuminated by warm, shifting light that filtered through hanging cables strung like banners from the high ceiling. The rusted walls had been reinforced and meticulously adorned with sacred symbols of the Omnissiah. Rows of dormant machinery lined the walls, their forms resembling pews in a cathedral. The air was filled with the low hum of machinery, punctuated by faint, melodic whispers of Binary Cant emanating from hidden speakers.

In the center of the sanctum stood a massive altar, constructed from gleaming machinery and adorned with holographic projections of flowing data. It radiated a strange, reverent energy, as though the sanctum itself was alive with devotion.

Jexa stepped cautiously across the polished metal floor, her boots clanging softly with each step. Her eyes darted around the room, taking in the eerie beauty of the space. "What the hell is this place…" she muttered under her breath, her voice swallowed by the vastness of the sanctum.

As she moved deeper into the sanctum, the feeling of reverence was nearly overwhelming, as though she had stepped into a holy place far beyond her understanding. For all the chaos of Night City, this place felt alien, ordered, and alive in a way that unsettled her to her core.

Jexa continued deeper into the sanctum, her awe tempered by an uneasy feeling creeping up her spine. The low hum of the machinery seemed to grow louder, reverberating through the space like a heartbeat. She glanced around, her breath catching at the sight of a figure emerging from the shadows.

It moved awkwardly, its steps heavy and deliberate. A servitor. Its frame was a grotesque fusion of flesh and machine, its arms replaced by crude mechanical appendages that twitched unnaturally. The servitor's face, or what remained of it, was slack and expressionless, its lifeless eyes glowing faintly with artificial light. Cables snaked out from the back of its skull, connecting to its hunched frame like grotesque lifelines.

Jexa froze as the servitor turned its head toward her, its glowing eyes locking onto hers. It staggered closer, its movements stiff and halting. When it spoke, its voice was a fractured, metallic rasp, broken by static and garbled tones.

"W…wel…come… g-guest…" it said, the words distorted and stuttering. Its blank expression betrayed no emotion, but its tone carried an almost ghostly quality, as if the remnants of a human voice were struggling to be heard. Then, as if breaking through its programmed greeting, it added, "P…please… ki…kill… me… e…end… my… s-suffering…"

Jexa's eyes widened in horror, and she instinctively took a step back. "What the—" she began, but the servitor abruptly turned away, its mechanical limbs jerking as it moved toward a nearby assembly line. It resumed its work with mechanical precision, seemingly oblivious to the plea it had just uttered.

She stood frozen for a moment, her pulse racing as the unsettling encounter sank in. The servitor's words echoed in her mind, a mix of despair and dread that made her stomach churn. She clenched her fists, forcing herself to look away from the grotesque figure.

"What the hell has Cassian done in this place…" she muttered under her breath, her voice trembling. Shaking her head, she continued deeper into the sanctum, determined to find answers—and to confront the man who had turned this manufactorum into something both awe-inspiring and horrifying.

Jexa's footsteps echoed through the sanctum as she pressed on, her eyes darting nervously toward the servitors she passed. Each grotesque figure was a stark reminder of the unnatural merging of flesh and machine. Their mechanical limbs moved with unwavering precision, their faces blank and devoid of humanity. Her unease deepened with every step.

"Jexa," came a deep, mechanical voice, reverberating through the sanctum.

She spun around, startled, to see Cassian emerging from the shadows. His towering frame was illuminated by the soft glow of illuminated cables above, and the faint hum of his servo-arm resonated in the still air. His optics flared as he regarded her, a faint hint of curiosity in his otherwise stoic demeanor.

"Welcome," Cassian said, his voice calm and deliberate. "You have returned to the sanctum."

Jexa exhaled sharply, her nerves still frayed from the encounter with the servitor. "Cassian, what the hell are those things?" she demanded, pointing toward the distant figure of the servitor now hunched over an assembly line. "That thing just begged me to kill it."

Cassian tilted his head slightly, his red optics glowing faintly. "They are servitors," he replied matter-of-factly. "Repurposed instruments of chaos, now aligned to the will of the Omnissiah. Their suffering has been replaced with purpose."

"Suffering?!" Jexa snapped, incredulous. "They're like walking nightmares! What did you do to them?"

Cassian's tone remained even, but there was an edge of conviction as he spoke. "Two weeks ago, this sanctum was invaded by scavengers—defilers who tore cyberware from the living, desecrating the sacred union of flesh and machine. Their existence was chaos, a blight upon the Machine God's order. I brought them order. They have been reborn as servitors, instruments of precision and utility."

Jexa's jaw tightened as she tried to process his words. "You turned them into… into that?" She gestured toward the servitor, her voice rising. "You took their lives and made them into… machines?"

Cassian took a step closer, his imposing frame casting a long shadow over her. "Their lives were forfeit the moment they chose to spread disorder and defilement. Now, they serve a higher purpose. Chaos has no place in the Omnissiah's sanctum."

Jexa stared at him, a mixture of disbelief and anger in her expression. "That's not order, Cassian—that's insane. They didn't deserve… this."

"They chose their path," Cassian replied firmly, his mechanical voice unyielding. "Now they walk a new one, devoid of corruption. Their existence is not for you to judge—it is for the Omnissiah to guide."

Jexa shook her head, her hands clenching into fists. "You really believe that, don't you? You really think turning people into… into those things is justified."

Cassian's optics flared brighter for a moment before dimming slightly. "Belief is irrelevant. Logic prevails. The sanctum requires order, and order has been restored."

Jexa took a step back, still shaken by the encounter but unwilling to argue further. "Faraday has a mission for you," she said, her tone clipped. "She told me to bring you."

Cassian regarded her for a moment, the faint hum of his systems the only sound in the sanctum. "The Omnissiah's work can pause briefly," he said at last. "I will hear her request."

Jexa exhaled slowly, nodding toward the exit. "Good. Let's get out of here. This place gives me the creeps."

Cassian said nothing as he turned toward the towering doors of the sanctum, his servo-arm clicking softly as it folded behind him. The servitors continued their tasks, their movements synchronized and unyielding, as the pair made their way out of the sanctum and into the smog-filled night.

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The pounding bass of synthwave reverberated through the walls of The Pulse, its rhythm matching the chaotic heartbeat of Night City itself. Holographic displays flickered erratically, advertising garish drinks and illicit mods. Cassian stepped into the club, his towering frame instantly drawing attention as he cut through the throng of augmented patrons. His optics scanned the room, isolating the faint signal from Faraday's neural interface.

Above the chaos, in an elevated VIP booth, Faraday lounged with a group of unmistakable figures. Her sharp features were illuminated by the pulsating glow of the club's lights, her faintly glowing augmentations lending her an air of effortless authority. Around her were the Edgerunners—a crew infamous in Night City for their exploits and chaos.

Cassian ascended the stairs, his heavy footsteps causing the floor to vibrate faintly. As he approached the booth, Maine, the hulking figure who led the group, turned his head sharply. His imposing cybernetic arms flexed, their powerful servos clicking audibly as he eyed Cassian.

"Faraday," Maine said in his deep, rumbling voice, "is this the 'specialist' you were talking about?"

Faraday raised a hand, her sharp smile cutting through the tension. "Relax, Maine. This is Cassian. You'll want him for what's coming."

Maine didn't relax but gestured to a seat with a jerk of his head. Cassian remained standing, his optics sweeping over the group as Faraday began the introductions.

"Cassian, meet the Edgerunners," Faraday said, leaning back and gesturing to each of them in turn. "You're going to want to know who's watching your back."

She started with Maine, her hand hovering over his towering frame. "You've already noticed our leader. Maine keeps the crew in line and makes sure no one walks away unscathed if they mess with us."

Maine grinned, his chrome jaw gleaming. "You've got some heavy chrome yourself, priest. Just make sure you're more useful than ornamental."

Cassian inclined his head. "Utility is paramount. You will see my worth."

Faraday's smirk widened as she pointed to Rebecca, a petite but wildly animated woman lounging on the edge of the table. Her arms were covered in mismatched cybernetics, and her wide, manic grin revealed her sharp teeth. "This little firecracker is Rebecca. Heavy weapons specialist and all-around chaos enthusiast."

Rebecca's grin widened as she aimed finger guns at Cassian. "You look like you could squash a guy with one hand. Respect! But let's see how you handle the heat."

"I will handle it efficiently," Cassian replied, his tone flat.

Next, Faraday gestured toward Dorio, Maine's second-in-command, who leaned casually against the booth with an air of confidence. "This is Dorio—Maine's partner and the crew's rock. If you're in trouble, she's the one pulling you out."

Dorio crossed her arms, her piercing gaze sizing up Cassian. "As long as you don't slow us down, we'll get along fine."

"I do not falter," Cassian said simply.

Faraday turned to David, the youngest of the crew, whose Sandevistan augment gleamed faintly at his neck. His expression was a mix of curiosity and caution. "And this is David. He's the runner of the group, fast and deadly. Don't let the kid fool you—he's earned his place."

David nodded, his gaze flicking over Cassian's towering frame. "You're definitely not from around here. Let's see if you've got what it takes."

"I will demonstrate," Cassian said, his optics briefly flickering.

Faraday then motioned toward Lucy, a netrunner whose sleek appearance and quiet demeanor contrasted sharply with the rest of the crew. Her eyes were calculating as they met Cassian's. "Lucy's our netrunner. If there's a system to breach, she's already in it before you can blink."

Lucy gave a faint nod, her voice calm and even. "You don't look like you trust others to do your work for you. That's fine. I don't need help."

Cassian nodded in return. "A worthy attribute. Efficiency must be upheld."

Finally, Faraday pointed to Kiwi, the crew's second netrunner, her heavily augmented face betraying no emotion. "Kiwi's our backup brain. She's the one who makes sure the network stays in our favor."

Kiwi glanced at Cassian briefly, her tone cold. "Just don't get in my way."

"I will not," Cassian replied evenly.

Faraday leaned back, satisfied. "And there you have it, Cassian. The Edgerunners—Night City's finest. You'll want to stay on their good side."

Cassian's optics swept over the group once more. "They are functional. We will work together."

Faraday chuckled, her sharp smile returning. "Good. Because we've got a mission that's going to need all of us." Her expression turned serious as she leaned forward. "Let's get down to business."

Faraday's sharp smile faded, her expression turning businesslike as she leaned forward, placing her elbows on the table. The Edgerunners shifted their focus, their usual banter giving way to the seriousness of a mission briefing. Cassian stood at the edge of the group, his optics narrowing slightly as he observed her.

"We've got a high-paying job," Faraday began, her voice smooth and precise. "A corpo's son has been snatched by a group of scavengers. Not your typical gutter trash, either—these guys are well-organized and operating out of a fortified zone. The boy's GPS implant is broadcasting his location, but something's jamming the signal, and Trauma Team can't move in until it's clear."

Cassian's optics flickered, analyzing the information. "Eliminating the scavengers and neutralizing the signal jammer are the objectives?"

Faraday nodded. "Exactly. But here's the kicker—it's not far from your manufactorum, Cassian. That puts you in a prime position to assist the team."

David frowned, glancing at Faraday. "What's a corpo kid doing so close to a scav hideout?"

"Wrong place, wrong time," Faraday replied. "Parents are from Arasaka's upper echelon, and they want their boy back in one piece. They've got the eddies to make it worth our while. That's all you need to know."

Rebecca grinned, her fingers twitching excitedly. "So we get to trash some scavs, rescue a rich kid, and make bank? Sounds like my kind of job."

"Hold up," Dorio said, crossing her arms. "You said this hideout's fortified. What kind of resistance are we looking at?"

"Expect heavy defenses," Faraday said. "The scavengers have been operating here for a while, and they're paranoid. They've got traps, automated turrets, and enough firepower to make it messy if you go in guns blazing. That's where Cassian comes in."

Faraday turned her attention to the towering tech-priest. "Your expertise with technology and your knowledge of the area could be the difference between a clean op and a bloodbath."

Cassian inclined his head slightly. "The scavengers are an affront to order. Their chaos will be eradicated."

David exchanged a glance with Lucy, his brows furrowing. "We've worked with a lot of people, but this guy's… different. You sure about him, Faraday?"

Faraday smirked. "You'll see soon enough. Cassian's not like anyone you've met before."

Kiwi leaned back in her seat, her augmented gaze fixed on Faraday. "How's the split going to work? Corpo payouts don't come cheap."

Faraday raised a hand, her tone sharp. "The payout is more than enough for everyone. Focus on the mission."

Maine cracked his knuckles, his grin returning. "Alright, then. Let's get moving. Sounds like we've got a kid to save."

Faraday leaned back, satisfied. "Good. Get prepped and meet Cassian at his manufactorum. From there, you'll plan your approach. The clock's ticking, and the corpo isn't paying us to sit around."

The group rose from the booth, their various augments glinting under the pulsing lights of The Pulse. Cassian remained still for a moment, his optics scanning the crew once more as he processed the mission parameters.

"This sanctum is operational," Cassian said. "It will serve as an adequate staging ground."

Faraday watched him with an amused expression. "Perfect. Don't keep them waiting, priest."

Without another word, Cassian turned and descended the stairs, the Edgerunners following in his wake. As they exited The Pulse, the chaotic energy of Night City surged around them, the city's neon glow and distant gunfire a constant reminder of its volatility.

The mission was clear: rescue the boy, eliminate the scavengers, and restore order. For Cassian, it was an opportunity not only to enforce the Omnissiah's will but also to see if this crew of mercenaries was as capable as Faraday claimed.

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The Edgerunners arrived at the edge of the industrial district, their vehicle grinding to a halt amidst the smog and neon-streaked haze. The towering manufactorum loomed ahead, its reinforced walls and glowing sigils of the Omnissiah visible even through the polluted air. The faint hum of machinery and the glow of illuminated cables gave the structure an almost ethereal presence, starkly contrasting the rusted ruins surrounding it.

Maine stepped out first, his heavy cybernetic arms flexing as he sized up the towering structure. "Well, this is something," he muttered, his deep voice echoing slightly. "Not exactly your typical base of operations."

Rebecca hopped out next, her wide grin faltering as she glanced at the intricate engravings on the doors. "Creepy. Looks like a haunted factory turned church. What kind of freak builds this?"

David adjusted his jacket, his Sandevistan implant glinting faintly in the neon light. "Faraday said he's different, remember? Guess this is what she meant."

Dorio joined Maine at the front, her gaze sweeping over the manufactorum. "Let's just hope he's not as crazy as this place makes him look."

Lucy and Kiwi remained silent, their eyes scanning the structure for potential threats. Kiwi's augmented gaze flickered briefly as she muttered, "The tech here… it's old. Strange."

The heavy doors groaned as they began to open on their own, their mechanisms whirring softly. The Edgerunners tensed, their hands instinctively moving to their weapons. Rebecca raised her shotgun, her manic grin returning. "Okay, now it's a horror movie. Great."

"Stand down," Maine said, though his voice carried a note of caution. "Let's see what this guy's got."

The doors revealed the interior of the sanctum, illuminated by the warm glow of hanging cables and the flickering light of holographic projections. The intricate symbols of the Omnissiah adorned every surface, and rows of dormant machinery lined the walls like pews in a cathedral. The central altar gleamed with mechanical precision, radiating a faint, otherworldly energy.

"Holy shit," David muttered, stepping inside cautiously. "This… this is something else."

The faint hum of Binary Cant echoed through the sanctum, a melodic mix of mechanical clicks and tones that seemed to resonate with the structure itself. Lucy's gaze flicked upward as she whispered, "It's… alive. In a way."

"Alive or not, it's giving me the creeps," Rebecca muttered, her fingers tightening on her shotgun.

As the group moved further inside, the sound of heavy, deliberate footsteps approached from the far end of the sanctum. Cassian emerged from the shadows, his towering frame and glowing optics making him appear larger than life. His servo-arm unfolded slightly as he approached, the low hum of his systems reverberating through the space.

"You have arrived," Cassian said, his mechanical voice calm yet commanding. He stopped a few paces from the group, his optics sweeping over them.

Maine stepped forward, his stance firm. "Cassian, right? Faraday said you'd be here. Hell of a place you've got."

Cassian inclined his head slightly. "This sanctum serves the Machine God. It is both functional and sacred."

Rebecca snorted. "Sacred, huh? Looks like a scrapyard with delusions of grandeur."

Cassian's optics flared briefly, but his tone remained even. "Order exists where chaos once thrived. This sanctum represents the Omnissiah's will—a concept you may not yet comprehend."

Dorio glanced around, her expression skeptical. "And those… things we passed outside? They look like they came out of a nightmare."

"Servitors," Cassian replied. "Repurposed instruments of chaos. They now serve the sanctum and maintain its operations."

Rebecca shivered. "Repurposed? You mean they were… people?"

"Once," Cassian admitted without hesitation. "Their chaos was eradicated. They have been reborn into service."

The group exchanged uneasy glances, but Maine broke the silence. "Alright, we're not here to judge your… church. We've got a job to do. Faraday said you'd know the area and could help us plan the approach."

Cassian turned toward the central altar, his servo-arm gesturing toward a holographic map projected above it. "The scavenger hideout is nearby. Their defenses are crude but numerous. Their jamming device is located here." He pointed to a glowing red marker on the map. "I have identified weak points in their perimeter. Precision and coordination will ensure success."

David stepped closer, his eyes scanning the map. "You've been scouting this place?"

"It is my duty to know the chaos that surrounds the sanctum," Cassian said, his tone resolute. "The scavengers are an affront to order. Their eradication is necessary."

Lucy nodded, her sharp eyes taking in the layout. "We'll need to neutralize the jamming signal first. That's their linchpin."

Kiwi crossed her arms, her gaze fixed on the map. "With the signal down, Trauma Team can extract the kid. But they'll need a clear path."

Maine grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Sounds like we've got a plan coming together. Let's prep and get this done."

Cassian turned back to the group, his voice steady. "The sanctum's resources are at your disposal. Prepare as needed. When ready, we will proceed."

The Edgerunners exchanged glances, the tension lingering in the air as they began their preparations. While the sanctum's eerie atmosphere unnerved them, there was no denying the precision and clarity Cassian brought to the mission. The strange alliance between the tech-priest and the crew was set—and the scavengers would soon feel the consequences.

As the Edgerunners spread out to review the map and prepare, Cassian's optics lingered on Maine's cybernetic arms. The hulking mercenary's augments were powerful but mismatched, their crude design betraying a lack of care in their upkeep. The faint hum of their servos was uneven, and small sparks occasionally flickered from the joints.

Cassian stepped closer, his towering frame casting a long shadow over Maine. The tech-priest's servo-arm extended slightly, its claw clicking softly as it moved with deliberate precision.

"Your machine spirits are in distress," Cassian said, his mechanical voice calm yet firm.

Maine frowned, glancing down at his arms. "What are you talking about, priest? They're fine."

Cassian tilted his head, the faint hum of his systems rising. "Fine is insufficient. The machine spirits within your augments cry out for maintenance, for reverence. You neglect them."

Before Maine could respond, Cassian's servo-arm extended further, reaching toward one of his cybernetic shoulders. The Edgerunners froze, their attention snapping to the pair as Cassian began to work without waiting for permission.

"Hey, whoa!" Maine barked, stepping back slightly. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Cassian ignored the protest, his movements precise as he examined the joints of Maine's cybernetics. "Your augments are crude and improperly maintained. This neglect causes inefficiency. I will soothe their spirits."

Maine's jaw clenched as the servo-arm emitted a faint, pulsing light. Sparks flickered briefly before subsiding, and the hum of his cybernetics grew steadier. "I don't remember asking for your help."

Rebecca burst out laughing, pointing at the scene. "Oh my god, he's giving your chrome a holy blessing! This is gold!"

Dorio smirked but kept her distance. "You've got guts, Cassian. Messing with Maine's arms without asking? Bold move."

Cassian continued his work, his Binary Cant rising in a low, melodic hum as his gauntlet traced intricate patterns across the metal. Maine's protests turned into a grudging silence as he felt the subtle improvements in his augments' response times and power output.

"There," Cassian said after a moment, retracting his servo-arm. "The machine spirits are soothed. They will serve you with greater efficiency."

Maine flexed his cybernetic fingers, his expression a mix of irritation and reluctant appreciation. "Alright, I'll give you this—you know your way around chrome. But next time, ask first."

Cassian's optics flickered briefly. "The Omnissiah's work cannot wait for permission."

Rebecca cackled, slapping the table. "Oh man, priest! You've got a death wish messing with Maine like that."

Lucy watched silently, her eyes narrowing as she observed Cassian's methods. "What did you do?"

"I restored harmony to his augments," Cassian replied, his tone even. "Their performance was degraded by neglect. They are now aligned with the Omnissiah's will."

David exchanged a look with Dorio, shaking his head. "Weirdest team-up we've ever had."

Kiwi sighed, muttering under her breath. "Let's just hope his weird rituals don't slow us down."

Maine finally gave a grudging nod, rolling his shoulders as his arms hummed with newfound precision. "Alright, Cassian. You get a pass this time. But don't push your luck."

Cassian inclined his head slightly. "Luck is irrelevant. Logic and faith prevail."

The tension eased slightly as the Edgerunners returned to their preparations. While Maine's irritation lingered, there was no denying the improvement in his cybernetics. Cassian's unconventional methods might have been unsettling, but the results spoke for themselves.

The sanctum buzzed with quiet energy as the group finalized their plans. The mission loomed ahead, and while the Edgerunners weren't entirely sure what to make of their new ally, one thing was certain—Cassian's presence would make this operation anything but ordinary.