{HORUS Observation of AGNI-Class NHP.
Self-Appointed Moniker: Finley.
Video File Transcribed by Eni Gambari.}
[A Worldkiller Genghis is being used in a field skirmish against HORUS by a Harrison Armories operative. The Genghis is at the front of the fighting, using its Krakatoa Thermobaric Flamethrower to clear a molten path through enemy mechs like an opposing unattended Dullahan and a problematic Rakshasa. It pauses to vent, expelling a burst of searing heat that further stresses enemy mechs, driving them back in fear of reactor meltdowns. Still, the Genghis has to pull back when a Gorgon begins projecting its Basilisk and a Balor begins moving in. To keep the pressure on, the Genghis pilot discards caution and dives into the fray, activating the AGNI NHP’s protocol. The AGNI seemingly cascades despite the Genghis not taking a direct hit. Instead of venting heat, the Genghis’ explosive vents backfire into the cockpit, filling the pilot’s space with superheated air. The scream of someone being burned alive cuts through the battle. With the pilot dead, the Genghis continues to burn everything in its vicinity—especially former allies—until the mech makes its way away from the fighting and just… falls prone.]
[The video cuts to an underground HORUS cell facility. There is a limp, pink-haired body laying on a table. The body’s right eye is missing. A HORUS agent wearing an insulated hardsuit walks into the room, carrying an eye-like NHP casket. They pause, hovering over the body. Then, they reach down and insert the casket into the empty eye socket. For some time, nothing happens. The agent stands back and waits. Just as the agent is about to leave the room, the body sits bolt upright. The iris of their casket glows with a faint red light. The HORUS agent holds their hands up and takes a cautious step forward. The new legionnaire opens their mouth and the agent falls to the ground. They frantically pat at various spots on their hardsuit as though trying to quench invisible flames. The legionnaire covers their casket eye and curls in on themself. Two more HORUS agents come into the room and drag the now visibly shaking agent away.]
[The video cuts to the hallway outside the legionnaire’s room where another HORUS agent waits.]
Agent #4: (speaking into their comms) Subject AGNI reacted poorly upon achieving consciousness within their new body. I will move in with backup and attempt to proceed with the cycling as planned.
[The video cuts back to the room with the pink-haired legionnaire.]
AGNI-Class Legionnaire: (their hand is still over their casket eye) … (they shakily remove their hand and gasp, curling in on themself; the hand quickly goes back to where it was) … I don’t need to burn… They don’t need to burn…
[The video cuts to a different room: one that looks like it’s set up for an interview. The pink-haired legionnaire, now known as Finley, sits across from Nova Kang. They’re in a Horizon Collective facility.]
Kang: We would love to have you with the Collective, but we want you to know that you don’t have to feel pressured to join. It’s true that our full protections could help ward off remnants of the HORUS cell that abducted you as well as members of Harrison Armories looking to retrieve you, but-
Finley: How long ago was the First Hercynian Crisis?
Kang: … I don’t know the exact number of years that have passed, but it was during the SecComm era, so a long time ago.
Finley: Not long enough ago for the Worldkiller to be lost to time (they pick at the sleeves of their pink sweater).
Kang: It… truly is an awful creation.
Finley: (they look up) Am I an awful creation?
Kang: I never said that.
Finley: It’s okay. I shouldn’t talk about the war. I’m just making myself more AGNI.
Kang: Finley-
Finley: It’s okay.
[The video cuts to Finley tending to a garden in a city. The footage keeps picking up bits of static. Finley looks up at the camera. He looks away quickly. His casket eye is covered by a grey eyepatch. Nothing burns.]
{The video ends.}