I have become a soldier, a warrior.

Hex thought about it's current situation and mused about this new aspect of it's growth as an individual, as a person. This was something all Marduk Versatiles dealt with sooner or later. The Versatile caste came online as a blank slate, given only the basic information required, then sent out into the universe to learn and to grow. It was only a matter of time before they came to realize that the experiences the had began to shape their personalities. Now it seemed it was Hex's turn.

Hex. Even in being given a name, and more importantly using it themselves, the Marduk once designated HX-909-A had become something else, something more. And today it realized that it's purpose was war.

Coming back to the present, the entire internal musing taking place in less than a second, Hex looked out over the warriors that Lord Brutin had put under the machine's direct command. These would be the Marduk's elite core, and Hex intended to make certain they earned that reputation.

#You all have come to know my service to Lord Brutin, but few of you have come to know me. I intend to remedy this. My name is Hex, and I am a Marduk, a sapient machine. As organics, I do not expect any of you to perform equal to my capabilities, but as I train you, you will come close.#
As speeches went, this was one of Hex's longer ones, and might provide a mixed result. Hex couldn't care less if the men resented it, so long as they performed to the machine's satisfaction.

Over the next few weeks, Hex punished the warriors unrelentingly, drilling them in methods of war other than the sword and shield. Commando tactics, urban warfare, modern firearms and energy weapons, vehicle combat, and finally even anti-magical warfare. Hex wanted them ready for anything that might be required, no matter the battlefield or weapons employed. Of the original fifty warriors presented, only twenty finished to Hex's expectations, but each of these twenty were more than a match for a dozen traditional skirmish soldiers.

Hex had it's army, and now all it needed was the war.

The machine in question had been studying each man as they were introduced, reviewing what little written material Lord Brutin had provided before this meeting.

There was very little written data on the two Goreans, but after interviewing several of the slave soldiers, Hex believed it knew their measures. As for the former Rhydin mercenaries, now officers, there was more information to be gained from two of the several mercenary houses that, while not directly employing or brokering for mercenaries, did track almost every mercenary career on Rhydin. In this case, all three men had led very impressive careers on lower-tech worlds. Only Deacon had any experience on a high-tech battlefield, though Gemonom had fought on worlds where magic was prevalent.

Yes, these men would do fine once Hex had a chance to instruct them.

"We are waiting for Lucius to give us our final instructions on what we can take with us and what we cannot so until such time as that, I give you over into Hex's capable hands. Hex?"

Brutin's words brought the machine back to the present, and Hex took two steps forwards, #I have recieved preliminary information about the world we will be fighting upon. It is a feudal realm dominated by deity beings, which interfere in technological development, not unlike Gor. As such, we will be unable to use most of the advanced equipment I has hoped to utilize. This should not impact us unduly however. You are all well-trained trained in the art of skirmish warfare, all you require is refinement.#

Hex's eyes swept over each man present, including Lord Brutin, #I will trust in your judgement concerning the disposition of your soldiers, with one exception. As you by now know, I have selected fifty soldiers from your camps to personally train. Of these fifty, I intend to select only twenty to serve as my personal Elite. These soldiers report to me alone, they are at all times outside your chain of command. Lady Verishia will be doing the same. Now, while these Elite report to me, and may command any of the common troops, they cannot override your individual orders during the course of battle. Please instruct your men that to all effect, these Elite serve as officers just under you in the chain of command.#

#As to equipment. I have been informed that steam-powered machines will be largely uneffected, as will most magical systems. With this in mind I have employed the services of two gifted in the magical arts to aid us, one a local from Rhydin, another from my home universe.# Hex's head turned to the door and two figures entered, one was human, the other resembled a humanoid version of a gryphon. #These are Benisk Ardonak and Klesk Hirkhaar.#

Now the machine's head turned to address the Gorean logistician, #Lucius, these mages will construct for us a mobile gateway between the Association compound and the target world. This will be our chain of supply. In order to shorten that chain and prevent trouble with re-supply, this gateway will travel with the army's provisions. Please see to this.#

Another sweep of insectoid eyes brought to the engineer next, #Varm, I have designed several vehicles using steam generated by magic enchantment, These will be our primary transports for supplies and when possible, troops. The machines themselves are armored and capable of traversing many types of terrain. In addition to transportation, I have designed plans for steam-powered automatic crossbows, small launcher weapons, and new siege engine designs. My lab has already begun fabricating all required materials, and only assembly is required. Assemble whatever men you require and begin construction immediately.#

Hex handed Varm several rolls of documents, engineering blueprints, then addressed the remaining subcommanders, #While we await further details from Lord DeAuster, I want your soldiers prepared. I want every man, including the slaves, trained in hand to hand martial arts as well as armed combat. In addition, all archers are to be trained with the use of the new steam crossbows. Siege engineers are to be trained in the use of the repeating trebuchet and steam catapault.#

#There is much to do and to learn, and little time in which to do it. See to your duties.# Hex nodded to each man present, then walked out the door to get to work itself.