Chapter 605: Shocking Efficiency
Forge Magos Tal Soran spent several hours barely getting his overloaded logic core back to baseline operation.
He meticulously reviewed all accessible test data provided by Cassius-7 regarding ETA-001—including structural stress reports, energy circuit stability logs, baseline weapon system calibration metrics, and the Dummy System's response efficiency and accuracy across a series of standardized directives.
Every metric pointed to one definitive conclusion: this EVA-Titan was no hastily assembled, inferior imitation. Its manufacturing craftsmanship was exquisite, system integration was exceptionally high, and its performance parameters fully met expectations—in fact, in terms of mobility and energy transmission efficiency, it subtly surpassed them.
It was a fully completed, combat-ready war machine of the highest order.
This conclusion stood in sharp, paradoxical contrast to the absurdity he felt regarding the "ten-month production cycle," yet it was forcibly reconciled by cold, incontrovertible data.
A dizzying sensation of having his cognitive foundations overturned, mixed with the intense euphoria of discovering a goldmine, churned within his complex mechanical thoughts.
He returned to his temporary quarters—a Mars-style room outfitted with numerous data interfaces and cogitator arrays. He needed to report to Archmagos Dominus Zoor immediately.
His phrasing had to be exceedingly cautious.
After lengthy deliberation, Magos Soran finally drafted a report marked with the highest encryption clearance.
In the report, he first objectively detailed the inspection of ETA-001, emphasizing its superior manufacturing quality and performance that aligned with expectations.
Then, using the most matter-of-fact language possible, he noted "a production efficiency significantly exceeding traditional cognition," attaching key time markers as supporting evidence.
Rather than directly questioning the orthodoxy of the technology, he focused on the strategic value such efficiency could offer.
He wrote: "...If this production efficiency can be stably maintained, and subsequent units uphold equivalent quality, this 'EVA-Titan' project may drastically alleviate the primary frame reinforcement pressures our Collegia Titanica has faced since the Horus Heresy.
Its unique tactical positioning and considerable mass-production potential could become a key factor in reshaping the balance of power across several warzones."
He made special mention of Ryo's strict confidentiality regarding core technology—particularly the origin of the biological components—hinting that while there might be technological avenues worth investigating, they also demanded cautious handling.
Finally, he suggested that the Archmagos Dominus consider whether, upon confirming the first batch's live-combat performance, they should seek a deeper, more stable partnership with Magos Ryo, or even explore possibilities for technology sharing or joint production.
After transmitting the report, Magos Soran fell into an anxious state of waiting.
He knew that once this report reached Mars, it would trigger a shockwave among the high command of the Collegia Titanica no less intense than what he had just experienced.
How would Archmagos Dominus Zoor decide?
Would he be delighted at securing a rapid avenue for reinforcement, or anxious over the potential risks of this unknown technology?
Or perhaps both?
During this time, Magos Soran repeatedly attempted through official channels to request direct communication with Magos Ryo's main body.
He wished to present his questions face-to-face to this mysterious peer, explore the secrets behind that incredible production efficiency, and perhaps even secure a tour of the mysterious biological component cultivation facility—though he knew the odds of the latter were vanishingly small.
However, every request met with a polite yet firm rejection.
The response came from Ryo's administrative assistant priest on Nexxam, using standardized phrasing: "Magos Ryo is currently conducting a vital gene-seed optimization project on Necromunda. It has entered a critical phase and cannot be disturbed by external affairs. All matters pertaining to Nexxam are fully handled by Tech-Priest Cassius-7."
Gene-seed optimization?
Magos Soran naturally understood the importance of this technology to the Adeptus Astartes and the broader Imperium; its priority was indeed top-tier.
Yet he still felt a slight prick of irritation at being brushed aside, alongside an even deeper curiosity.
That Magos Ryo seemed entirely unconcerned by this ten-Titan order, indifferent to the attention of the Collegia Titanica, and uncaring about the industry-shattering manufacturing capability he had displayed.
What on earth was he focusing on?
Where lay the boundaries of his technological prowess?
This "absence" of the creator only highlighted the extraordinary nature of the EVA-Titan project itself. It was like a naturally growing, miraculous fruit whose cultivator remained hidden behind the curtain, too busy to care for its ripening and harvest.
Magos Soran could only turn his attention back to the testing grounds, awaiting the rollout of subsequent units and potential further instructions from the Archmagos Dominus.
He realized he might need to stay on Nexxam far longer than expected—not merely to oversee deliveries, but to witness firsthand whether this unbelievable production line could truly continue to pump out miracles.
Meanwhile, deep in the Underhive of distant Necromunda, Ryo's main body was indeed in a state of near-total isolation. The gene-seed optimization experiment had entered its most critical gene-expression stabilization phase. Tissue samples within twenty cultivation vats were undergoing subtle, vital transformations; any disruption could cause previous efforts to be entirely wasted.
As for Nexxam's production efficiency and the Martian Magos's shock, to him, those were merely data points advancing as expected within a grander plan—noteworthy, but requiring no immediate attention.
His logic core allocated the vast majority of its processing power toward deciphering the far more complex mysteries of genetic codes and lifeforms.
The smooth delivery of the first EVA-Titan and the staggering production efficiency behind it acted like a heavy boulder dropped into quiet waters. The ripples began spreading outward from Nexxam toward a far broader horizon.
Magos Tal Soran's encrypted report, after a relatively short journey through the Warp, arrived safely at the Mars Headquarters of the Collegia Titanica and was delivered directly to the private terminal of Archmagos Dominus Castian Zoor.
Even with Archmagos Zoor's profound stoicism and vast experience, upon reading Soran's report, the cooling systems within his massive mechanical frame ran with a noticeably louder hum than usual.
Ten months.
The number echoed repeatedly within his logic core.
He pulled up the Steel Hound Legion's original combat logs, cross-referenced the performance displayed by the EVA-Titan on Verdant III, and combined it with this terrifying production speed. A clear conclusion gradually emerged: Magos Ryo possessed a technology vastly different from, and potentially superior to, the current mainstream Titan manufacturing paradigm of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
His focus rapidly shifted from "Are the EVA-Titans worth buying?" to "How can we maximize the utilization of this production capacity?" and "Are there hidden risks behind this technology?"
The core technical secrecy mentioned in Soran's report—especially the origin of the biological components—stuck like a thorn, triggering Zoor's vigilance.
Xenos tech? Dark Age heresy? Or some unrecorded branch of human technology?
Yet at present, the threats facing the Imperium were brutally imminent, and the Collegia Titanica's strength deficit was immense.
Compared to potential risks, rapidly acquiring viable, powerful war machines to fill front-line voids and suppress the endless uprisings and xenos invasions was clearly the higher priority.
Archmagos Dominus Zoor's decision logic ultimately leaned toward pragmatism.
He transmitted orders back to Magos Soran with two core directives: First, continue strictly overseeing the quality of subsequent units, ensuring every delivered EVA-Titan meets combat standards.
Second, at an appropriate moment, express a desire for deeper cooperation to Ryo's side in the name of the Collegia Titanica, tentatively probing the possibility of expanding the order.
They could even consider exchanging certain technologies or resources exclusive to the Collegia Titanica in hopes of partially deciphering its production secrets—or at the very least, securing a stable supply line from this forge.