Then, Osiris proposed a second option, which, to Sigismund, sounded even more... preposterous than the first.
"As for the other option..." Osiris' synthesized voice seemed to lower slightly, carrying a peculiar undertone, "That is, we pray to the Emperor."
This suggestion, coming from an Adeptus Mechanicus wise man, seemed particularly abrupt. The Adeptus Mechanicus worshipped the omnissiah, and while their faith intersected with the Imperial Creed, directly suggesting "praying to the Emperor" for help was certainly not the Adeptus Mechanicus' usual modus operandi.
Osiris watched for any subtle changes that might appear on Sigismund's face and continued to explain: "The Emperor... He sits upon the Golden Throne, His psychic radiance forming the astronomican, guiding the course of the entire Imperium.
If there is any entity that can transcend the chaos of the Warp and directly show us a viable path to Terra in the physical universe, then He is the most likely candidate."
"We do not need to understand how He does it; we only need to believe and make our request. After all..." Osiris added, with a certain profound meaning, "Your ability to break through the Warp storm that blockaded the star system and accurately arrive here was already a low-probability event, almost a miracle.
Without high-precision navigation support and relying solely on shallow jumps, successfully traversing such violent psychic turbulence might well be a manifestation of the Emperor's great power.
It was His will that guided your course through the torrent of the Warp, like the astronomican piercing through the mists."
Sigismund fell silent; Osiris' words indeed sounded absurd to him.
Praying to the Emperor? In an era where Imperial Truth was still held as the paramount principle, such a proposal bordered on blasphemy.
Lorgar and his *Lectitio Divinitatus* had long been nailed to the pillar of shame; the Emperor was the leader of human reason, not a god.
However, cold logic relentlessly pointed to this seemingly unreliable conclusion.
If not for some power beyond common sense intervening, how could the fleet he commanded, in that raging Warp storm, using inefficient 'skipping' methods, have accurately arrived at this heavily blockaded star system?
This could not be explained by coincidence or luck.
Reason and cognition clashed violently at this moment.
He frowned, and traces of struggle, rare on his resolute face, appeared.
Imperial Truth taught them to abandon superstition, but reality forced him to consider this 'irrational' possibility.
Ultimately, pragmatism and absolute loyalty to his mission outweighed everything.
He took a deep breath, as if to suppress all doubts, looked up at Osiris, and asked in a deep voice the crucial question: "What should we do?"
Osiris' response carried the characteristic pragmatism of the Adeptus Mechanicus and a hint of frankness in the face of the unknown: "There are no ready-made ritual procedures for how to pray to the Emperor.
Within the framework of Imperial Truth, this is in itself a... non-standard operation."
His crimson optical lenses glowed steadily as he continued to elaborate on the plan, which was so simple it was almost plain: "But logically, the most direct way is to call upon the Emperor's name with the most devout heart, state our predicament and requests, and pray that the will of the Human Lord can penetrate the veil of reality and the Warp to show us the way.
This is not about dogma, but a necessary attempt based on our current desperate situation."
He assigned tasks: "Lord Sigismund, please find a relatively quiet place, preferably with an icon of the Emperor, concentrate your mind, and make the call.
I must immediately properly package the Warp Drive core and the miniature ecosphere used to demonstrate the Genesis Factor.
At the same time, this stronghold cannot be abandoned; it is an important base for my academic research, and the defending forces must be properly arranged."
With that, Osiris' massive mechanical body turned and began to move.
He first went to the core laboratory, directing Servitors and Tech-Priests to carefully dismantle the precise and critical Warp Drive core from the test platform and load it into a specially made, sturdy transport box lined with dampening fields and anti-scan coatings.
Next, he packaged the ecosphere containing the Genesis Factor.
Simultaneously, Osiris issued a series of clear instructions to Sekhmet and the Adeptus Ministorum Troops commander via data link.
The base's highest defense protocols were immediately activated, all automated turrets and sensor mine arrays entered standby status, and damaged shield generators and communication arrays were prioritized for repair and synchronized reinforcement.
To ensure the defense system could operate independently for a long time, energy rationing was implemented across all non-core areas.
All remaining personnel immediately entered combat readiness status, strictly adhering to rotation and reporting systems.
Furthermore, Osiris swiftly coordinated the recently arrived Neksum reinforcements—two full macro-branches of Adeptus Ministorum Troops and a titan battle group from the Iron Hounds Legion—ordering them to establish a joint defense system on site to collectively guard this strategic location.
His scheduling was precise and efficient, every step meticulously calculated.
When all instructions had been issued, this Death World fortress had once again transformed into an unbreakable hard nut, enough to deter any potential coveters.
—
While Sigismund was still in front of the mural depicting the Emperor's glorious image, striving to concentrate his mind and attempt the unfamiliar and solemn prayer, Osiris had efficiently completed all pre-departure preparations.
Two creations crucial to the Imperium's future—the Warp Drive core and the Genesis Factor ecosphere—were properly packaged in specially designed sturdy containers, and the base's defense system had been fully restarted and reinforced to the highest alert level.
In this brief waiting period, Sigismund, focused on prayer, felt his tenacious spirit seemingly touch an invisible critical point.
His consciousness suddenly detached from its normal state, entering an ineffable, profound condition.
All sounds and perceptions of surrounding reality receded, replaced by a deep awareness of being enveloped and scrutinized by an immeasurable power.
He "felt"—a vast, ancient will, containing unimaginable power and coldness, yet also bearing an endless burden, like light from the dawn of the universe, piercing through layers of dimensions, precisely focused on his soul.
Without any doubt, Sigismund immediately understood in the depths of his soul—this was the gaze of the Human Lord, the Emperor.
The Emperor had indeed responded to Sigismund's prayer.
Although there were no external signs or miracles, Sigismund was utterly convinced in his heart—that profound perception penetrating the depths of his consciousness was indeed the will of the Human Lord, the Emperor.
Though he received no specific verbal instructions, in the instant of contact with that will, Sigismund already understood his upcoming mission.
After confirming that Sigismund had received the Emperor's revelation through extraordinary means, Osiris no longer hesitated. The course of action was clear; although the path to Holy Terra still harbored dangers, the direction was set.
He immediately issued orders, commanding the Tech-Priest and Servitor team to securely transfer two specially sealed containers—one holding the Warp Drive core and the other the Genesis Factor Ecosphere—to the transport vehicle waiting on the landing pad. The entire process was conducted under the strict vigilance of the Adeptus Ministorum Troops, with every step meticulously precise to avoid any unnecessary vibrations or accidents.
"The base's defense is entrusted to you," Osiris gave his final instructions to Sekhmet and the Adeptus Ministorum Troops commander who were staying behind, "Maintain maximum alert. Unless you receive direct orders from me, no external forces are allowed near the core area. Coordinate with the reinforcements from Neksum."
"Understood, Magos," Sekhmet bowed in acknowledgment. "May the Omnissiah guide your voyage."
Osiris nodded slightly, his massive dark-red mechanical body turning towards Sigismund. "Let us depart, Lord Sigismund. Every minute of delay could give the watchers more time to prepare."
Sigismund fully emerged from his brief meditative state, his eyes regaining their usual sharpness and resolve. He responded concisely: "Follow me."
The transport vehicle smoothly drove towards the waiting Thunderhawk gunship, then ascended, piercing through the atmosphere still permeated with some dust and fallout, heading towards the colossal object in orbit.
As the distance closed, the magnificent hull of the "eternal crusade" gradually filled their entire vision. As Osiris had assessed, this Gloriana-class battleship was like a steel city suspended in the star sea, its length of over twenty kilometers creating an unparalleled visual pressure. The hull was densely covered with macro cannon arrays, laser cannon forts, and torpedo tubes. The battle-scarred armor plates bore countless mottled marks, yet they only emphasized its indestructibility. Compared to the 1.5-kilometer long frigate Osiris had previously boarded, the latter was like a child's toy.
The gunship passed through the turbulence of the massive Void Shield and flew into the spacious hangar deck of the "eternal crusade." The hatch opened, and Osiris stepped out, his mechanical footsteps echoing in the vast space. Inside the hangar, ground crew and technical Servitors bustled like an ant colony, maintaining various carrier-based aircraft and armored vehicles, filled with an orderly vitality. The scale and complexity here were far beyond what a small vessel could offer.
"This ship is indeed the best choice," Osiris' synthesized voice sounded beside Sigismund, with a hint of approval. "If even the 'eternal crusade' cannot guarantee our arrival at Terra, then there is probably no more suitable ship to be found within the Imperium."
Sigismund looked at Osiris and said, "Naturally. Follow me, Magos. A special area has been prepared for you and your... cargo."
Under Sigismund's personal escort, the two specially sealed containers were taken deep into the ship, into a specially reinforced cabin.
This cabin was located in the core area of the "eternal crusade," equipped with fully independent life support systems, power supply, and defense systems, and even a localized Void Shield generator, forming a highly self-contained security unit.
Osiris personally supervised the securing of the containers, ensuring that every latch and buffer device was in ideal condition.
Subsequently, he accessed the cabin's control system and deployed multiple layers of security protocols: including mechanical password locks, energy fingerprint recognition, and dynamic monitoring alarms.
The system was set to immediately respond to any unauthorized access—even the slightest energy fluctuation or physical contact would trigger the highest level of security alert.
However, the most reassuring line of defense on the entire ship was not these precise mechanisms.
Sigismund had specially dispatched a crack Black Templar Warrior squad to guard this location. Five warriors in Terminator Power Armor stood like steel giants on either side of the cabin, their solemn black livery seemingly capable of devouring light, and the Maltese crosses etched on their shoulder pads glowed with a cold glint in the dim light.
They held Storm Bolters and Power Gauntlets, their helmet sensors continuously scanning the entire space, their gaze always fixed on the sealed containers.
Another ten Templar Knights, equipped with Power Swords and Storm Shields, along with twenty Black Templar Warriors in standard Power Armor, were also guarding the cargo.
This squad operated on a strict rotation system, ensuring that at least one Terminator and several standard Power Armor warriors were on duty at all times.
Their motionless stance and unyielding vigilance silently declared that these two sealed containers were sacred relics worth defending with their lives.
Under this strict guard, the entire cabin was enveloped in an almost solidified, solemn atmosphere.
After completing all this, Osiris and Sigismund went to the bridge together.
The bridge of the "eternal crusade" was equally magnificent, like the nave of a grand cathedral, with tall observation windows displaying the external stars, and below, layers of sunken operation decks where countless officers and Tech-Priests performed their duties.
The air was filled with the low hum of Cogitator engines, the faint static of communication waves, and a serious atmosphere.
Sigismund walked towards the Captain's chair, nodding to the Captain standing at attention.
"High Marshal, all systems are ready, the fleet has assembled, and we are ready to depart," the Captain reported in a clear voice.
Sigismund's gaze swept across the bridge, finally resting on Osiris, and he nodded slightly.
Osiris responded with a similar gesture.
"Engage main engines," Sigismund's voice echoed throughout the bridge, clear and powerful, "Set course, target Holy Terra. All ships, maintain maximum alert. We are going home."
The order was swiftly executed.
The massive "eternal crusade" began to slowly adjust its posture, its colossal plasma thrusters spewing dazzling blue trails, propelling this steel city towards the Mandeville Point.
The escorting Black Templars ships, like loyal guardians, followed closely behind.
The course was set, the journey resumed.
Osiris' mechanical body stood silently on one side of the bridge, his optical lenses tracking the shifting light bands, while his internal processor calmly evaluated various potential variables.
Sigismund stood beside the Captain's chair, his resolute face showing no emotion, but his tightly pressed lips and the hand always resting on his sword hilt revealed a similar prudence.
They both knew that although the Emperor's revelation had pointed the way, what lay between the Death World and Holy Terra was not just a vast physical distance.
The Warp itself was never a smooth path, and those powers unwilling to see this technology reach Terra would certainly not give up so easily.
The voyage had begun, but the path ahead remained shrouded in unknown mists, and any complacency could lead to unforeseen consequences.