Though this "Ruststalker" prototype in Cairo's eyes was filled with compromises and flaws, far from reaching the perfect state a Mechanicum-standard assassin should possess.
But undeniably, compared to the pre-conversion Militech experimental body with poor system integration and hidden dangers everywhere, Morell's capabilities had undergone a qualitative leap.
The most significant improvement manifested in the neural system.
Cairo's implanted Mechanicum-standard neural mesh—fused with rogue AI high-efficiency logic protocols—completely replaced those previously inferior interfaces with severe rejection reactions and signal delays.
Now, Morell's every thought could transmit to body extremities with almost zero lag.
That steel-needle-continuously-piercing neural agony from implant overload operations had completely vanished.
She felt her mind unprecedentedly clear, body control effortless as commanding limbs, as if shedding heavy shackles.
Since accepting Militech modifications, her body had never felt so coordinated and relaxed.
The awakened Morell hadn't lost memories.
She still remembered her experiences as a Militech lieutenant, remembered those harsh trainings and bloody missions.
Through Cairo's deep modifications, combined with neural mesh continuously releasing specific pheromones and regulated electrical signal frequencies, Morell's mental layers underwent subtle reshaping.
Her original loyalty to Militech had been completely twisted, now firmly anchored to Cairo—her creator and master.
Cairo's handling here differed from other Tech-Priests.
He hadn't performed thorough physical-layer brain modifications on Morell, didn't excise so-called "unnecessary" emotional regions, nor installed those behavior control modules that strangled all autonomous thinking, forcing absolute obedience.
Of course, out of most basic caution, he'd embedded several backdoor programs deep within Morell's neural centers.
When necessary, he could directly hijack her body, control actions, or forcibly execute specific directives.
But regarding her inherent autonomous consciousness, thinking capabilities, and battlefield judgment—Cairo chose maximum preservation.
This didn't stem from respect for life or special consideration for Morell personally.
In Cairo's value system, efficiency reigned supreme.
He'd observed many Warhammer world colleagues had near-obsessive control desires over subordinates, wishing to transform all Skitarii into absolutely obedient combat-servitors.
For this, they extensively used behavior control modules, completely stripping soldiers' autonomy, even directly micromanaging during wars, transforming them into war machines lacking any initiative.
Compared to servitors and combat-servitors, these Skitarii's only "privilege" was perhaps that trivial, anytime-revocable limited operational freedom.
If these colleagues possessed exceptional command talents in warfare, or at least above-passing-grade tactical literacy, Cairo perhaps wouldn't comment much.
But from his observations, the vast majority of colleagues—including those Dominus Magi specializing in war command—their command modes also heavily relied on preset data analysis and rigid logic models, lacking improvisational brilliance.
Rigid, inflexible command paired with soldiers whose initiative was completely strangled—in Cairo's view—itself constituted massive resource waste and low efficiency.
Precisely because of this, though Cairo similarly extensively employed servitors and Skitarii, he preferred retaining certain autonomous decision-making space for Skitarii.
He allowed them making snap decisions based on actual battlefield situations, encouraged them displaying personal tactical strengths.
This approach was once viewed as heretical by some colleagues, believing it would cause inconsistent execution standards, increasing unnecessary risks.
However, from long-term and macro results, Cairo's forces often achieved higher mission completion rates. Even in many seemingly hopeless battles, those Skitarii possessing autonomous consciousness could make brilliant responses exceeding data models, bringing unexpected war results.
He believed this was more efficient utilization of "manpower" resources.
——
After conversion completion, Cairo conducted a series of basic performance tests on Morell.
Results confirmed—though limited by materials, her absolute defensive capabilities and some extreme-limit data hadn't reached design peaks—but her speed, agility, neural reaction speeds, plus new weapon systems' lethality all far exceeded pre-conversion levels. Cyberpsychosis hidden dangers were thoroughly eradicated.
During testing, Morell adapted to her new body and power.
She felt the surging power from the dorsal miniature fusion pile flowing through enhanced tendons and alloy skeletons. Though energy transmission still had losses, it remained surging and vigorous beyond imagination.
She experienced sonic blades sliding from palms—that nearly silent yet air-distorting death tremor.
After Cairo briefly explained the team's current predicament plus persistent troubles Militech and Biotechnica might bring, Morell volunteered proactively.
"Master," her voice transmitted through newly-generated synthetic vocal cords capable of simulating near-native speech—carrying metallic texture but firm tone. "Corps are essentially profit-chasing hyenas. They covet power and knowledge you control, like hyenas drooling over fresh meat.
But when they discover tearing this meat requires paying the price of blades piercing throats, possibly even breaking all teeth—they'll understand weighing options and yielding."
She spoke while lightly extending hidden sonic blades from wrist interiors. Invisible ultra-high-frequency vibrations slightly distorted surrounding air. "Death's threat—especially precise, indefensible death—often most directly makes them understand: continuing entanglement costs far exceed their tolerance."
However, Cairo held reservations about deterrence effects from simply relying on assassinations.
He calmly analyzed: "Your thinking has some merit but oversimplifies. For individual corp executives, life is indeed precious. But for the corp as massive collective consciousness, losing one or two senior managers compared to potentially obtainable—market-monopolizing or situation-changing—massive benefits often counts only as acceptable 'reasonable attrition.'
They'll process casualties like replacing worn parts, then continue seeking opportunities. Pure killing won't necessarily make them truly retreat."
He paused slightly, crimson optical lenses steadily flickering, conducting more complex explanations: "But if assassinations serve as clear signal transmission methods, situations differ.
Through precisely eliminating one or two responsible managers with certain status yet not irreplaceable, we can transmit clear messages: 'We're capable of taking anyone's life anytime.'
This won't extinguish their greed but suffices forcing them back to negotiation tables, or at least—before taking next actions—conducting longer, more cautious internal assessments."