The Cathedral of Precision, the largest church in Blitzheim, devoted to the belief of an underlying order for every existence. Tall arches rise up to a ceiling illuminated by hanging chandeliers of oil lamps. The walls and layered ceilings are composed of inter-connected mechanisms: Gears, levers, pullies and screws, all moving under the influence of each other and driven by an unseen prime gear. The perpetual motion symbolizes the influence of one part on the whole machine, allowing even the smallest gear significance to the grand order. Enclosed on all sides by this great device, the worshipers may seem tiny, but take great comfort in knowing that like the tiniest gear, they are a purposeful part of things.

The service today however, is for one who would be ranked as a great part of the grand machine, the Kaizer Heinrich. His body has been lying in state for 3 days in a closed coffin at the front of the Cathedral. So that the citizens would remember him in his health, and not his sickness, images of der Kaizer surround the coffin. They show him as a young general, triumphing over the Titanians, holding back Bosch and Sylvania; Other images show him as the great statesman he became, before parliament and delivering his inspiring speeches. Flowers surround the images and the entire front of the Cathedral, sent by both individuals, and institutions in his memory.

"… and so we bid farewell to our leader." A stag in black robes murmurs to the assembled mourners. "His soul has been set free, to join the machinery of the great star. The star that has born us… and will see us to our end. The light of the star empowers us all."

The stag wipes his cheek, then pulls a small book from his pocket and opens it to a marked page. "We are all one with the great machine of Sinai. And like all machines, one day we will all cease to function. Only then will our parts move to a higher plane where we may serve an even greater machine. May the blessed Kaizer serve the Star well." With those words the priest makes the sign of the star across his chest and kisses the cogwheel pendant around his neck.

The antlers of the gathered Landknechts are dipped low in profound remembrance of the beloved Kaizer, the Cervanis lined in two rows facing the coffin. Each draws his sword and then holds it aloft by the blade, as if proffering its hilt to the departed sovereign, and the tips of their racks dip in unison…

Save, that is, for one of their numbers, who has no antlers to dip. A black crow dressed in abbreviated Landsknecht armor kneels and draws his double- swords to offer them in a similar salute and prayer of fealty.

Behind the Landsknechts, the barons and lesser nobles of Chronotopia bend their knee, saluting their departed Kaizer. Following behind them the elite and regular guard also dip their weapons in deference and service, their numbers moving in unison.

The priest slowly raises his head back up to face the assembly. "May those who love the Kaizer in life now come up and speak. For it is love that lifts the soul of the departed to the Great Star." He bows his head one final time and steps aside.

The congregation stands, waiting for the first to step forward, and one does. He is a great stag, a nephew of the Kaizer and the closest to a heir of the 'Unyielding Hart' He strides forward to the pulpit, his robes fluttering about him. His eyes are dark rimmed with sorrow, but his voice is strong as he starts to speak.

"It is with deepest sorrow that I attend another funeral of a von Oalanstein. The first time I attended the rites here, was for our Kaizer's wife, when I was but a child." The stag relates, "It was a sorrowful event, and only deepens the feelings I experience now that our much loved leader has died."

"I was not alone at that first funeral; the Kaizer's son also grieved with me. It was our shared grief during that tragic time that brought me into the Kaizer's household. Together, as if brothers, the Kaizer taught us the values he used to rule this land. He taught us about strength, loyalty, mercy and the quality of leadership. He was my uncle, but treated me as his second son." The noble stag continues.

Each of the Landknechts watches the great stag, nephew of the Kaizer, with great respect and even admiration shining in their moist dark eyes. Strength, loyalty, mercy, and nobility. These are virtues that sing in their hearts.

"Melchior and I were inseparable. Together we joined the Landsknechts, to serve as Kaizer Heinrich had, for our motherland." He brushes below one eye, "We fought our enemies as the Kaizer had, as much in competition with his accomplishments as each other. It was that hubris that led us to make an assault into Bosch. We wished to hear grand stories of Melchior and Ruthven, and how we bested the forces of disorder."

Tucked away in the second row, the black crow listens as admiringly as the rest. Oh, to have been one of the numbers that went into Bosch! He clasps his winghands together in a gesture of prayer and watches with beak agape.

"That youthful desire led to the disaster that killed Melchior, and the ten Landsknechts that were with us." Ruthven says sorrowfully, "Horrors which I will not describe, that I and one other barely survived. It is my great shame that I could not save Melchior from the forces that brought him down; I wish daily that I had died in his place. The pain the Kaizer suffered from his loss was tremendous, but he did not yield. It was his strength that held me up. I had lost a friend, but he had lost his son."

Ruthven states, "It is a tragedy when the father outlives the son. That second funeral, though 16 years past, still weighs heavily on me. The Kaizer, in his greatness and compassion, remained as good a man to me, as he did when his son was alive. I cannot describe the great sorrow that grips me, to see him pass as the end of his line. Though I am not his son, I mourn him like a son, and wish he will shine brightly in the great Procession."

The stag bows, and returns to the assembled moment. The congregation is silent except for a few deep sobs drifting from the back of the Cathedral. Moments pass, with no one willing to take the podium, to add words following Ruthven's.

Finally, one of the older Barons steps forward, to the place just occupied by the Kaizer's nephew. He clears his throat, and speaks about Heinrich as he was in his youth. His voice and story breaks with his emotion, but he continues describing the inspiration that the great stag was to him. After, other nobles, then the electors speak. Each one with a story of der Kaizer, and how he influenced their lives.

The Landsknechts take the podium, each in turn. In their dress armour, the light shines off them like the rarely-seen sun. Their stories speak of Heinrich's involvement with them, their loyal devotion, and their love for him. Stag after stag speaks, before Gergesene St. Germain, the only Korv Land Knight, though with a bravery that exceeds all others, has his chance to speak.

The crow, after several attempts to move suppressed by some larger Landknechts, finally ascends the few steps to the front and begins to speak. "Friend Chronotopians – for though we are Cervani, Khattas, and Korvs, and many others, we are all countrymen – I mourn for the memory of the Kaizer, but more so do I mourn for the death of his dreams. For does not the son inherit the ambitions of the father? How much then, must our beloved Kaizer have hoped that his son Melchior would surpass him, and in time, take up the mantle of his rule?"

Gergesene continues in this vein for a moment as the audience wavers and then begins to lose interest. Finally he begins to sense the distraction of even his fellow Landknechts, and then blurts out, "Ah – I mean to say, milords, miladies – as a true knight of the Landknechts, I hereby pledge my swords to his memory, to brighten it knowing that his son's cherished dream would finally come true. Down with the demonic forces of Bosch! Long may live the glory of Chronotopia and its Kaizer!"

Gergesene looks about, hoping to find that his words might have struck some kind of spark. He fidgets his winghands uncomfortably in front of everyone.

The Land Knights' voices swell behind Gergesene, supporting the pledge of one of their number. "Long may live the glory of Chronotopia and its Kaizer! We pledge our swords against the demonic forces of Bosch, and all that would threaten this land." Their oath rings throughout the Cathedral.

Gergesene draws his swords… and, holding them by the blades, hops off the stage and begins to walk toward Ruthven, hilts outward. "To you, milord – " He kneels. "I pray that you will only consider this, your most humble of Landknechts – a loyal servant in the cause. Let us polish away this tarnish upon the pauldron of Chronotopia's glory that Bosch has dealt us," he caws. He dips his head forward with blades held up, not daring to meet the great stag's eyes.

Ruthven looks down at the Landsknecht kneeling before him. A silence reigns throughout the Cathedral of Precision, broken only by the slow whirring of the great machine.

A Cervani steps forward, one known among the knights as Steinhardt. He draws his two-handed blade and kneels by the crow, "On my honor as a Landsknecht, I will aid as I can. Chronotopia must be held safe."

A dark-feathered monk in robes of the Celestial Order watches this quietly, making the sign of the Star over his breast with one of his claw-hands.

Gergesene says nothing as he hears the other Landsknecht's oath, eyes cast down waiting for Lord Ruthven's word, but his heart brightens. A fellow in heart!

A Khatta Landsknecht joins the kneeling Cervani, and then the rest follow in the genuflection to the Kaizer's nephew. They move as one unit to drop in service, inclining their racks towards Ruthven. The stag watches their movements, and oath, surely feeling a rise in spirit to be honoured by those he once served with.

He reaches out, taking the hilts of Gergesene's blades. "I accept your pledge, fellow Landsknecht. Your faith in me honours me greatly. Chronotopia will need strong leaders, and strong men to defend her in this unsettled hour." Ruthven releases the blades, looking to the other knights, and the rest of the congregation. "I offer myself, as have the Landsknechts, in service to our motherland in whatever capacity is needed. It is dark, but we will come through to the light."

Brother Salvatori, from the back of the cathedral, continues watching and listening, now pausing to quietly caw a prayer of blessing upon these brave warriors.

Gergesene lifts his eyes and beak-gapes in a half-surprised smile. "So may it be, milord. And surely the Star will watch over us in this hour of our need." He seems to address the empty air as if the chapel were thronged by the spirits of those who have fallen in the Grand Machine's service, then backs away to rejoin the ranks.

Murmurs spread through the crowd at the back of the Cathedral, a few Kaws! are heard, then a voice shouts out, "Ruthven! Ruthven will lead us." Consent surges, and other voices take up the shout of "Ruthven! Ruthven!". The ranks of guard stay silent, but several of the nobles ahead of them glance, or glare, at the citizens.

Brother Salvatori looks at what is going on around him, then caws a prayer of blessing upon Ruthven as well.

"Friends!" Ruthven calls out, as he mounts the raised dais, to stand in front of the Kaizer's casket. "This is not for us to decide at this time. It is a matter of Parliament. Order in all things, above all else. I am heartwarmed by this display, but we are here to remember our departed leader, not select another." His voice rings out in the Cathedral, clear and strong.

"Please!" The stag says, a hand brushing at the corner of his eye, "Let the service continue. There will be time for such matters later. I have lost my uncle, a father and dear friend to me, and do not wish concerns of state to burden my remembrance of him."

The Landsknechts, mostly Cervani but with a mixture of Khatta and other races, and even a single Korv, resume their places with a quiet dignity. Those who have antlers, lift them and look solemn.

Gergesene sniffles. Such sentimental words! Truly Ruthven shows the greatness of spirit that would have made the Kaizer proud.

Ruthven returns to his place amongst the nobility. The noise from the back dissipates and the cathedral is silent once more. A few more take the podium, and speak of their memories of the Kaizer, but everyone has grown solemn and introspective from the unexpected display. Soon the priest returns, and looks out on the worshipers.

Touching the gear suspending around his neck, the priest speaks. His voice is broken at first, but then clears, "At… *ah* At the request of the family, Interment of the body will not occur. Instead there will be a private cremation. You may pay your respects at the casket, but I ask that you please do not linger, so we may move on with the rites." He shuffles behind the podium, hands holding the edges tightly.

"The service has ended, may you find your place in the Great Machine." The priest offers in benediction.

Brother Salvatori blinks several times at the announcement regarding burial, looking about himself to see if anyone else thinks this irregular.

There is further murmuring from the crowd at the unusual announcement. Many at the back wait for a turn to come forward, while others leave. The Baron who spoke after Ruthven comes forward first, kneeling to the Kaizer's casket, then leaving. Others soon follow him.

Gergesene notices not a thing as he frets. Respect. Respect. How does one pay respect? He resolves to watch the others first, then follows the rest of the Landsknechts in turn.

Other nobles file past the casket. Some kneel, some stand and bow, all of them say a quiet or silent prayer in memory of der Kaizer. The priest watches, fidgeting with the gear. Soon the Landsknechts start offering their last respects.

One after the other, Landsknechts kneel before the casket, dipping their antlers. Some murmur quotations from their studies or from literature, marking themselves as the more educated of the knights. Others vow renewed vigilance of their service.

Gergesene kneels. "May your spirit fly free – er, run free," he whispers to the Kaizer, beak dipped in deference, then stands to follow the Cervani knight, the one who joined him in the pledge.

In turn amidst the line, one Cervani bows his head, antlers low. Bringing his fist to his chest he declares quietly, "We shall not let your passing lead to others. I swear to defend this land with my fellows, life and heart. Rest well… and peacefully." Fadyr wipes away a tear at his cheek and stands straight as he makes way for others.

After the Land Knights, the units of guards progress to the casket. Their sergeants offer salutes to their leader, and they join in precise unison. The guards file from the Cathedral, leaving the merchants and citizens to add their gestures of respect. The priest continues to watch the proceedings with a nervous gaze.

One guard gives a long stare at Salvatori as he marches past and outside the Cathedral. The Korv recognizes him as the one who removed him from the Kaizer's bedchambers.

Brother Salvatori looks back at the guard for only a moment, then dips his beak in shame at his failure to help the Kaizer.

The monk waits some time, then finds his place in the line of the mournful citizens proceeding to the casket. He glances at the nervous priest, gazing at him sideways in that avian sort of way that he does.

The priest continues to glance nervously at the congregation, and finger the cogwheel around his neck. He looks up at the Great Machine around him, but doesn't seem to find much consolation in what he sees. He avoids meeting the eyes of anyone who approaches the casket.

Most of the mourners have left, leaving just the Landsknechts and some of the greater nobles waiting at the front of the Cathedral. Salvatori is among the last of those who remain. Ruthven watches the proceedings.

Brother Salvatori, still unnerved by the nature of the Kaizer's departure, is a bit more bold in trying to size up the priest and just what sort of nervousness he might conceal, but discernment of unspoken thoughts was never one of his gifts, so he continues toward the casket.

"Prime Star." The priest can be heard to quietly mumble, "Do not let this change in order upset the Great Machine." Expressing perhaps concern for Chronotopia's future, or the possible consequences of the change in service. He looks again at the casket situated a short distance from the pulpit.

The Korv monk finally reaches the casket, his waddling gait slowing up those behind him, since he is made to fly rather than walk. He pauses at the casket, bowing his head reverently, signing the Star in the air before him as he recites a prayer.

The paintings of the Kaizer gaze back at the monk in silence as he prays.

The crow finishes his prayer with a request to the Star not to let disorder and break in tradition disturb the celestial harmony. He signs again, then opens his eyes, waddling on, away from the casket. As he looks forward, one eye is focused on the priest at the pulpit as he passes.

The priest looks away from the glance from Brother Salvatori, over his head at the remaining few citizens still offering remembrance and prayer. He clears his throat again. "Would… the Landsknechts please leave as well. The cremation is for a select few. It… it is the request of the family." A very unusual request indeed.

Brother Salvatori trips on his own feet at the unheard-of (except for now, of course) break in tradition! "*KAW!*" He stumbles, his wings flapping to try to keep himself from falling on his beak.

The Korv's cry echos throughout the cathedral, prompting the remaining citizens to leave at a more hurried pace. Ruthven gives a cold gaze to the stumbling monk, matched by several from the Landsknechts.

The Korv picks himself up, keeping his head low, fumbling to try to smooth down some of his ruffled feathers as he waddles away at a quickened pace.

"Please leave my brothers." Ruthven says to the assembled knights. "I wish the remaining ceremony to be very private, for those of us who knew Kaizer Heinrich personally. Forgive me in this unusual request." His voice is even, almost cold, hiding the emotions that churn inside him.

The Landsknechts march out of the Cathedral of Precision, following behind the Korv monk, leaving only Ruthven, and a few select nobility.

The priest follows behind, and closes the door to the Cathedral.