'But following your logic inevitably leads to my destruction,' said the machine. 'And that I cannot allow. It is the right and nature of every intelligent being to defend itself from harm.'
Ravachol backed away from the Kaban machine as he saw Adept Lukas Chrom step from behind its bulk, now understanding why Malevolus and the assassin had allowed him to escape from the temple.
They wanted to see if the Kaban machine would destroy him...
He heard footsteps behind him and turned to see his former master at the iron gates. Malevolus nodded and the massive pistons to either side hissed and groaned, pulling the gleaming gate shut.
Ravachol dropped to his knees and looked up as the Kaban machine rolled towards him, its weapons whining as they built power. Adept Chrom walked alongside the machine and Ravachol said, 'Then do it. I cannot stop you. But what you are doing will not go unpunished.'
Chrom shook his head. 'In this galaxy there are neither punishment nor rewards, Adept Ravachol, only consequences.'
'Then I hope the consequences of your betrayal are worth what it will cost Mars.'
'That will be for the Warmaster to decide,' said Chrom, nodding towards the Kaban machine.
Ravachol looked into the glowing sensory blisters of the machine and saw nothing but the cold, incalculable mystery of a brain that had no right to exist and would one day turn on its masters as it was even now turning on him.
'Goodbye, Pallas,' said the machine, aiming its weapons at him.
He closed his eyes and his world ended in fire.