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“So you know that this ritual would increase the efficiency of the machine?” Ferrus Manus asked as he brushed one of his silver hands across the machine.
“That is correct. When one compares craft that are operated solely by the Imperium have a higher chance of breaking down.” TalOS pointed out without a moment’s thought, “We satisfy the Machine Spirit and in doing so it will work harder for us.”
“But is that because of Ritual or proper maintenance?” He questioned again without a hint of hesitation.
“It is Ritual. Maintenance can only take one so far.” Declared TalOS, “It is the 16th Warning that we are not to break Ritual for in doing so we will fail the Machine God.”
“So you call it ritual, but it is instead indoctrinated maintenance.” Ferrus Manus rationalized as he finally left the sensory array alone, “By forcing a mechanical regiment of maintenance you can get the most life out of your machines.”
“While the Machine Spirits enjoy maintenance and will serve you solely for it, they will never reach further without ritual.”
“So that is why you always pray, that you think it improves the efficiency of the machine?”
At that moment TalOS began to notice the line of conversation, “Why are you asking these questions now brother?”
“I want to know.” He said simply. To TalOS’s silence he decided to continue his thought, “You pray to machines, but you know as well as I do that there are no Gods. Our Father’s Crusade has provided ample opportunity for Gods to appear for their civilizations but none appear. Both you and I know that. So, is there something more in your prayer than just religion?”
For a moment TalOS felt offended at the suggestion. The greatest of them was the quick denunciation of the Machine God, but then he realized what Ferrus Manus said might be right. For those not raised in a Priesthood, they might share the opinion of their Creator far more. Engineered ignorance, but it did get TalOS to think.
Why did prayer work? Was it the Machine Spirit, Machine God, or the Motive Force that gave it might? Ferrus Manus was asking not because he thought it was dumb, but that he thought some higher function was in it.
He thought that through the layer of ‘ignorance’ was truth.
>The Machine God does it! We invoke his name with each breath!
>We encourage the Machine Spirit to push itself, to serve with all its might.
>It channels the Motive Force, giving the Machine Spirit more power to perform.
