Forerunner Idea Snippet

If Splendid-Dust-Shines-True had received one of the newer Builder mutations, he might well have been grinning from ear to ear right about now. Not that his companion would have been able to see it, since he rarely removed the helmet of his personal armour. After seven decades of smooth talking, bribery, and one or two 'accidents', he had finally received permission from the Ecumene to build his own world for himself. But not just any world. No, he dreamed far bigger than that. By a stroke of pure luck (mixed in with a bit more heavy bribery), he had come into possession of the schematics for one of those Shield Worlds that the Warrior-Servant at the peak of his rate had been fighting so hard to have made. 'The Didact', his suit's ancilla reminded him. He'd forget the name again within minutes, but that was no trouble as long as he was wearing the armour.

Of course, having the plans was all well and good, but actually constructing something with them was going to be a challenge. Such a large expenditure of resources and time, not to mention all the different components, would require more than just a few Miners. He'd need access to a full sized assembler. One of the specialised ones designed specifically for producing plates on a planetary scale. That's where his acquaintance, perhaps friend, had come in. Together, they had called in on almost all of their debts among the various council members in order gain temporary ownership of one of the Assemblers that were in charge of producing Shield Worlds. By a stroke of luck, the Ecumene council had halted production of them for a brief respite recently, as they once again discussed whether it was the strategy they should follow, or whether they should try the Master Builders proposed idea. Those were matters far above his station, but he still tried to keep abreast of them.

But he digressed. Now for the next five years, Splendid-Dust would be able to direct the great productive forge to his own ends. If this were a normal planet of rock and dirt he were making, that would not nearly be enough time. That was the work of millennia. But no, with the Assembler to help, not to mention his own family's considerable resources, he would have plenty of time to build his desired dyson sphere. That's right, a dyson sphere. This was going to be HIS planet, his and his children, and his children's children. So it was only natural for him to make the best he could. If the traitorous San'Shyuum could have a few trillion sentinels dedicated to stopping them from leaving the planet despite lacking any kind of space-faring technology, why shouldn't he get something of the same level?

Actually, now that was an interesting thought. Images of various San'Shyuum flitted across his eyes, as his ancilla drew upon records from the Domain. If he was going to have a dyson sphere, he'll also want some nice scenery. The San'Shyuum were, after all, renowned the galaxy over for their good looks. And who was going to notice a few San'Shyuum going missing? He had it on good authority that the guard for their planet was going a bit stir crazy, so a good bribe should easily turn away any prying eyes.

Yes. The plan solidified in his head: First things first, he would need to travel to the outer rim to the assembler, and input the plans. They would start work cleanly and wouldn't need much supervision. Next, have his friend contact the Forerunner by the San'Shyuum home world. On his way back, he'd meet an 'unfortunate' accident when his ship would build up too much reconciliation debt. And so that loose end would be tied up. Meanwhile the 'research specimens' would safely reach his private lodging with no-one the wiser. Once the shield world was complete, it was just a simple matter of opening it up to the Lifeworkers to beautify. They'd love the work, and would no doubt flock by the thousands! He'd have to sort them through for the few with a good history. Ah, if only that rising star Chant-To-Green would come. That would be something he could boast about for centuries to come. That the favoured of the great Librarian herself had worked on his world. Alas, she was busy elsewhere. Something to do with those barbaric humans, last he had heard.

Before he even need ask, his Ancilla sent out an ad, announcing his plans in the near future. Moments later applications started flying back in.

'Yes,' he thought, lips once again trying and failing to pull up into a smile. This was the start of something beautiful.

He was killed by the flood 4 years later.