I intend to supervise it closely, Klaus. What was your castle like?

Ah, rather like a Leviathan or Capitol Imperialis. Impressive. At any rate, I should stop by shortly. Would you like me to bring cake?

[he stops by shortly thereafter with delicious chocolate cake from the bakery. Hooray for bros. He knocks on the door, still clad in his battle plate. Because he wears it EVERYWHERE.]

That's right. My battle-plate. I didn't feel like a whole man without it. I have worn this most of my life for the last 100 years. It is... very reassuring.

[he hunches, the armor making all kinds of humming and whirring noises as he moves. He is no less agile for wearing it, in fact, Klaus can probably tell it's actually improvising his reactions in some way.]

[he fits, then stands half-hunched in the house. As it fits Klaus' specifications the house isn't TOO bad him, though.]

Your deduction is correct. It interfaces with the black carapace which are implanted neural interface clusters all throughout my body. Thus it is like a second skin, and I get sensory feedback from it, as well as extremely good fine manipulation and manual control.

Certainly, within reason. The secrets of the Mechanicus are not something I can lightly divulge, but I don't think it would do some harm to have at least one person in Mayfield understand the technology enough to repair it. I will simply ask you to leave the backpack power source alone, and I believe that will be sufficient.

[he nods gravely and begins to portion out the cake.]

Do you have any tea? I have... grown to dislike coffee, since it was the favorite of my wife who has now... been permanently droned. [There is a shadow of grief in the warrior's face. He hates the idea of losing people to the town in such a manner. With all his heart.]

Of course, thank you. [he sips the tea in a delicate and dainty way, completely at odds with his genehanced form, forged for war.]

How unfortunate. It is always difficult to lose comrades.

Less so than you might think. Casualties are rare among the Astartes to some degree due to the nature of our superior war-skill, armor, and physical makeup. We have never lost a war, though we have lost contingents of our forces from time to time, based on the exigencies of war, such as the Blood Angels and Emperor's Children on the planet Murder. The forces of the Luna Wolves, my Legion, had to relieve what was left of the initial relief force. At that point we scoured the planet bare with every weapon at our disposal for sixth months. People only ever anger the Astartes once.

[he looks at Klaus with a gentle expression in his rain-gray eyes.] It was not until what I believe was most likely my own death that I lost most of my brothers. My dearest friend among the Mournival, Tarik Torgaddon was slain by Horus Aximand, another Mournival brother, even as I dueled Ezekyle Abaddon. Oldest and and most accomplished of all. While I can never understand the loss of a wife, or of a daughter as you can I.... can understand the loss of family, of those to whom you are closest quite well. This is why I have resolved not to let Mayfield's insidious nature drive people here apart, you see. I will not see another situation such as what happened during the fall of Horus Lupercal erupt here.

[he is quiet for a moment, the silent refrain to this is.... Garviel will not fail again.]

Yes. I was one of those leading the assault on the Milkman's vat, I am familiar with how we banded together. I was.... surprised to see so many people rally to me when I took up my war-banner and took the field.

[he nods] Regarding THE major, he is undoubtedly a problem. A warmonger and a monster, and.... I have met men such as him before. They are difficult to deal with.

Yes... my own death. I was most likely slain in my final battle.

I can't say, honestly. All I remember is the heat of the orbital blast.... and then I woke up here.

[he shrugs.]

I have assumed to the moment of my death. I have no fear of it, as long as I die, my duty done. Astartes don't know fear.

[he is quiet for a moment.]

We actually find it repulsive, when others show it.

No. It is just a momentary impulse. I understand -why- people feel fear, but it is alien to Astartes.

[he sighs]

I am glad that in my own time such things are not... an issue. Everyone acknowledges the Emperor as their liege-lord, and his governors and proper representatives. But I believe this is partially because the consequences of not doing so are visits from men such as myself.