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You try and stifle a laugh, wiping at tears with your sleeve. A heartfelt moment between the two of you though did he really have to go and ruin it with that same old nonsense again? Always his obsession with that stupid legend, always carrying on and always wasting time. Even at the end with his dying breaths! For his sake though, his last wishes... you never believed in this ridiculous obsession of his, but you swear to carry it with you. Not like you have much choice anyway, you expect to be hearing his lectures in your sleep till the day you die. It's such a little thing to promise, if it will give him peace. Let him believe that he hadn't wasted his life if you can continue the search and prove him right in the end.
With these sentiments shared between you then, although the last thing you want is to part ways you are now at least ready for it. Yet before you can go you find yourself held fast by his grip still, one last time.
<span class="mu-g">"Maven... before you go, take my hand. Your servo-skull should be able to interpret the electoo... the torch of knowledge is yours to bear now, Priestess."</span>
His manner of addressing you... understanding the gravity of his words, you do your best to steady your breathing and straighten up. Speak firm, speak clear.
<span class="mu-b">"The will of the Omnissiah is...i-is for steel and iron to persevere, for ceramite to hold at bay the mutants, aliens and heretics, for fire and energy to produce our weapons and enlighten our way. I will not falter, I will make sure Master Voss that the holy mission the Omnissiah has give you will be done! And I will remember you forge-father."</span>
Easing your grip from his, you take in your hands his offered artifact weapon. Trying to steady your nerves and your shaking hands for what must be done... in one unsteady but swift effort you sever his hand from his arm. He gives a gasp but without pain, seemingly more surprise than having felt it much in his condition. Searching for what you can, you hastily cut away some of the holy draping of the Omnissian altar... you're sure the Machine God won't mind, in order to wrap up your mentor's arm. As you think about it, you're not really sure why given his condition but then it just comes to you as habit. Then the reason for all this, his removed hand which you bundle up in the remainder of the cloth. The data from his electrograph stored to his identifying electoo no doubt, if you can properly remove it then you ought to be able to make use of it later.
With the sombre task complete then, you rise to your feet with the blessing of your mentor.
<span class="mu-g">"Praise the Omnissiah."</span>
<span class="mu-b">"Praise the Omnissiah."</span>
And make your departure. Leaving him in the embrace of the Machine God, that you may all meet again someday. For now though, where his journey has finally reached it's end... yours has only just begun.
