Chapter 391: Plan Established
Initially, the debate remained strictly on the data and theoretical level. Torrents of binary code collided fiercely above the conference table, attempting to overwhelm the opponent with the pure power of Logos.
However, when complex mathematical models and heavily quoted STC fragments both failed to thoroughly convince the other party, an older, more direct tradition within the Adeptus Mechanicus naturally took the stage—"empirical proof" on the physical level.
"It seems the purity of logic can no longer bridge the cognitive gap! Only the test of practice can manifest the truth of the Omnissiah!" Magos Vladimir of Graia suddenly stood up from his data interface seat. His multi-jointed mechanical feet stepped heavily onto the metal floor, emitting a dull thud.
Accompanied by the hiss of hydraulic systems, a heavy tool arm behind his back instantly popped out a forging great-axe the size of a door panel. Unstable arcs of energy danced across the axe blade, and the surrounding air twisted slightly due to the high temperature.
"Exactly my intention! Let the Machine God witness whose concept can better bear His glory!" The vox-caster of that Martian Structural Magos also erupted with a high-pitched response. The armor plating on the side of his body slid open, and a relatively refined power hammer—its head condensing azure force-field energy—was already grasped in his mechanical hand, a low hum lingering around the hammer's body.
Without any superfluous warnings or ceremonial postures, under the "onlooking" of the crowd of representatives, the two Magi strode toward the "Seminar Practice Area" beside the conference room, which had been specially cleared and constructed of reinforced steel plates.
The next moment, the sound of heavy metal clashes replaced all the clamor of binary codes!
The Martian Magos's tactical combat style was as steady and solid as his academic views. The swings of his power hammer carried trajectories forged through a thousand temperings. Every strike was heavy and powerful, attempting to shatter the opponent's defense with absolute force.
Conversely, Magos Vladimir's Graian style was wide open and sweeping. The forging great-axe swung with the momentum of wind and thunder. The searing energy blade was not only used for hacking and slashing but also frequently used to block and deflect at tricky angles, attempting to use skillful force and energy erosion to destroy the opponent's weapon structure.
"Bang!" A heavy strike from the power hammer was parried by the slanted face of the great-axe. The deflected energy impact left a molten crater on the reinforced floor.
"Sizzle!" The energy axe blade grazed the Martian Magos's pauldron, not only leaving a scorched mark but also tearing through the outer sensor clusters. Several severed cables hung down like injured tentacles, sparking with tiny electrical flashes.
This was not a life-and-death struggle, but a "physical dialectic" filled with the unique flavor of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
Both sides tacitly controlled their output power below a certain threshold. The core objective was to prove the "superiority" of their own design concepts—by destroying the opponent's argumentative tools, breaking their postural balance, or causing enough "functional damage" to force the other party to admit inferior skill.
After all, under the grand goal of jointly promoting new technology, everyone was essentially still a "collaborator," merely having divergences regarding dominance and technical pathways in the collaboration.
The intense "exchange" lasted for several minutes, interspersed with the sounds of metal deforming, the shrieks of overloaded energy weapons, and the roars of servo systems operating at full capacity.
Finally, after an exquisite feint, Magos Vladimir's forging great-axe swung the power hammer away at a bizarre angle. The side edge of the searing axe blade slapped heavily against the Martian Magos's chest armor!
"Clang!"
Accompanied by a loud noise and flying sparks, a large chunk of the Martian Magos's chest armor visibly caved in. Several cooling vents were twisted and blocked, and the internal coolant leaked out, emitting white steam.
His entire body staggered backward several steps. The power hammer also flew out of his grasp, bouncing and sliding far away across the floor.
Magos Vladimir retracted his great-axe, the energy field slowly extinguishing. His heavy respiratory system vented excess heat, and his data stream carried the steadiness of a victor and a barely perceptible hint of smugness: "I concede. It seems that in the redundant design of structural strength and energy conduction, Graia's considerations are slightly superior."
The defeated Martian Magos stabilized his posture with some difficulty. He glanced at his severely damaged chest armor and the power hammer still rolling in the distance. His internal systems were clearly running poorly due to the trauma, and his vox-caster responded with static: "Hmph... your energy circuit redundancy plan... indeed possesses stronger... battlefield adaptability. It can be... included in the subsequent detailed evaluation."
His right to speak was clearly weakened along with this defeat on the physical level.
The victorious party, along with the technical plan and design ideas they represented, would naturally gain more attention and priority adoption weight in the ensuing blueprint discussions.
The defeated, on the other hand, would temporarily retreat to the side, undergo emergency repairs by accompanying servitors, or replace damaged components themselves, silently accumulating strength in preparation to launch another "argument" at the next point of technical divergence.
Ryo stood quietly to the side, his crimson optical lenses calmly recording the details of every "exchange" and the ensuing directions for blueprint modifications.
His internal logic core evaluated the efficiency of this peculiar method, ultimately reaching a conclusion: although primitive in form, this mode combining physical persuasion with technical argumentation could actually efficiently push the design toward the "optimal solution" in this Adeptus Mechanicus environment, where multiple interests intertwined and pragmatism was highly revered.
Amidst the clanking sounds of arguments and "debates," the final design plan for the warp-engine version of the Lunar-class cruiser was being rapidly polished and perfected in a bizarre manner that nonetheless conformed to the underlying logic of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
Ultimately, after experiencing countless data clashes and "physical arguments" highly characteristic of the Adeptus Mechanicus, the design blueprint of this improved Lunar-class cruiser, integrating the wisdom of all parties, was finally and officially established amidst clamor and cooperative compromise.
It absorbed Nexum's structural reinforcement concepts, Graia's energy system redundancy design, Lucius's precise control system interfaces, Mars's classic layout optimization, and the unique features of other Forge Worlds. Compared to the original Lunar-class cruiser, its overall performance had completely transformed, amounting to a comprehensive technological leap.
Given the magnitude of its modifications and the significance of its performance enhancements, the Martian faction opportunely proposed that it should no longer be viewed as a simple variant of the Lunar-class cruiser, but should be officially established as an entirely new ship class. This would also be the first milestone production license under the new framework system, jointly participated in by multiple parties and approved by Mars.
Regarding the naming rights for this new class, after a brief and friendly exchange among the parties (primarily realizing that continuing to argue might necessitate activating the "Seminar Practice Area" again), they unanimously agreed to bestow this honor upon Ryo—the bringer of the technology and the key promoter of the new order.
Ryo's mechanical body stood before the screen projecting the final design blueprint, his crimson optical lenses sweeping over those lines that crystallized the results of countless arguments and "practices."
Without much hesitation, he calmly gave it its name.
(End of Chapter)