The technical demonstration was scheduled in a specially shielded validation chamber deep within the Gamma Boundary Forge Temple. The air here was purified and circulated, carrying the mingled scent of metallic coolant and ozone.
The walls were cast from thick alloy, covered with data ports and monitoring probes, ensuring that any internal energy fluctuations and signal transmissions would be precisely recorded and analyzed.
In the center of the validation chamber, the heavily protected Warp drive core was mounted on a customized anti-gravity suspension platform.
Dozens of data cables and energy conduits of various thicknesses connected it to a massive analysis array provided by the Martian delegation.
Without any ceremonial pleasantries, the demonstration began with absolute focus.
The Chief Archmagos issued a brief binary command, and the validation platform immediately powered up.
The Tech-Priests surrounding the platform began operating their respective control terminals, and the entire space instantly filled with the low hum of servo systems.
Osiris stood beside the platform, his mechanical body directly connected to the test array via a data interface. The red light of his optical lenses steadily scanned the real-time feedback data streams.
He did not operate the equipment himself but maintained synchronization with the presiding Tech-Priests through high-speed binary data flow, ensuring that every testing step strictly followed the pre-determined procedure.
The first item was the basic energy field resonance test.
As the energy conduits emitted a deep resonance, faint geometric patterns appeared on the surface of the engine core.
The surrounding air seemed to distort slightly, like looking at an object through shimmering heat waves. Monitoring probes immediately captured this phenomenon, and a massive amount of data began pouring into the analysis array.
"Field effect stable, consistent with theoretical predictions," the monitoring Tech-Priest reported, his vox-caster transmitting short bursts of static.
Next, the spatiotemporal curvature interference test commenced.
As higher intensity energy was injected, the geometric patterns around the engine core abruptly brightened, forming a stable, low-intensity field that completely enveloped the core.
Precision gravimeters and spacetime measuring instruments in the validation chamber began to show fluctuating readings, clearly indicating that the local spatial structure was indeed subject to measurable perturbation.
"Curvature interference readings confirmed, perturbation level Delta Three, consistent with expectation," another Priest reported, his voice carrying the characteristic frequency of satisfaction when technical validation was passed.
The entire demonstration was rigorous and highly efficient, showcasing the Mechanicum's specific brand of precision.
While an actual faster-than-light test was impossible in the enclosed validation chamber, this series of precise experiments fully proved the feasibility of the Warp drive's principles.
The controllable influence the engine core exerted on the spatiotemporal structure drew the focused attention of the experienced Martian Archmagi present.
The demonstration concluded, the energy supply was cut, and the engine core fell silent.
A momentary stillness settled in the validation chamber, broken only by the whirring of the analysis array's cooling fans and the faint clicking of data storage devices.
Immediately, the communication phase began. Questions poured towards Osiris like a storm through binary language.
"How is the crystalline structural stability of the core material maintained long-term?"
"What are the peak energy conversion efficiency and load curve of the field generator?"
"How is the mapping accuracy between the navigation system and real-space coordinates ensured?"
"What is the minimum energy threshold required to maintain a stable Warp bubble and its relationship with mass?"
"What is the logic of the avoidance algorithm for navigating the gravitational wells of high-mass celestial bodies?"
The questions touched upon multiple cutting-edge fields, including materials science, energy science, spacetime physics, and navigation.
Every question was incisive, demonstrating the profound technical expertise of the Martian Archmagi. Their questions were short and efficient, transmitted with no redundant information via their vox-casters.
Osiris responded calmly, his replies also delivered through binary streams: clear, accurate, and logically tight. He not only explained the principles but also cited specific data observed during the demonstration as corroboration.
Furthermore, he provided insights and solution ideas based on a deep understanding of potential technical difficulties that the Martian side had not yet considered.
His answering style, though delivered in the cold binary language, conveyed a researcher's passion and profound insight into the technology itself.
He did not conceal anything, nor did he need to, as the true core of the technology lay in the complete theoretical framework and manufacturing process, not in simple explanations of principles.
The Q&A lasted for several standard hours.
As Osiris addressed each doubt, the atmosphere of scrutiny and skepticism in the validation chamber gradually faded, replaced by one of focused absorption of knowledge and rigorous discussion.
The exchange of binary code rose and fell, forming the only main theme of the sealed chamber.
When the last Archmagos ceased questioning, the Chief Archmagos transmitted a final binary message. This time, the acknowledgment implied in the frequency was even more pronounced:
"Technical validation and principle elucidation are clear and complete. Fabricator-Magos Osiris, your knowledge and contributions have received the preliminary approval of the Martian Council."
Osiris gave a slight nod, replying: "Knowledge requires sharing to advance. The glory of the Omnissiah must illuminate more pathways."
The demonstration and communication concluded successfully.
By relying on his solid technical expertise and candid attitude, Osiris successfully cleared the first, and most critical, hurdle for the future application of the Warp drive in the Mechanicum's sacred domain: the doubt regarding its technical credibility.
A series of precise indirect tests, while not showcasing the spectacle of faster-than-light travel, proved the rigor and feasibility of the Warp drive's principles to the Martian Council with undeniable data and controllable physical phenomena.
However, the validation of the technology was only the first step.
The binary message transmitted by the Chief Archmagos after the demonstration, in addition to acknowledgment, contained an unquestionable directive:
"The principle has been confirmed. The next step requires physical validation. The Martian orbital shipyards will immediately commence construction of a dedicated test vessel based on the blueprints and data you provided."
Mars' execution speed was astonishing.
Almost immediately upon the command being issued, the gigantic shipyards in synchronous Martian orbit shifted into high-speed operation. Massive prefabricated components were precisely grasped and positioned by mechanical arms.
Tens of thousands of Servo-Skulls and Engineering Servitors cooperated efficiently under instruction. The silent glare of laser welding torches flashed in the vacuum, weaving the steel framework of the nascent ship.
The hull of this specialized test vessel was designed with specific structural changes. The most critical modification was in the engine section—the traditional Warp drive and Geller field generators were entirely omitted, replaced by a compact, structurally reinforced chamber specifically designed to house and support the Warp drive core.
The ship's internal energy transfer network was also replanned according to Osiris' blueprints, reserving interfaces for high-load energy conduits. The design philosophy of the entire vessel was clear: everything served faster-than-light travel in real space, abandoning all redundant systems related to the Warp.
Even as the keel of the test vessel gradually took shape in the shipyards, another kind of war, without smoke or fire, raged fiercely in the data corridors and secret chambers of Mars.
With the feasibility of the technology proven, the struggle for interests finally surfaced.