The success of the technical demonstration, while proving the feasibility of the Warp drive, immediately plunged Osiris into a prolonged tug-of-war with the Martian Council's Patent Committee.
In the negotiation hall, Osiris' dark-red mechanical body sat alone at one end of the long table, facing more than twenty Martian Archmagi in red robes with flickering data interfaces.
They represented the millennia-old tradition, the vast scale, and the deeply entrenched network of interests of the Mechanicum's headquarters.
Despite the explicit support of Primarch Dorn, the authority of Terra seemed to be dissolved within this confined chamber, filled with binary whispers and the scent of machine oil, neutralized by the thick alloy walls and the deeply rooted local authority.
Mars cleverly utilized its orthodox status and rule-making power, refusing to yield an inch on issues like the scope of technical patent sharing, the allocation ratio of production licenses, and even the definition of rights to all future derivative technologies.
The clauses they proposed were shrouded in rigorous, even, binary logic, with hidden agendas between the lines, attempting to use complex legal frameworks and technical standards to firmly bind this epoch-changing technology to Mars' existing chain of interests.
Osiris could precisely refute the technical fallacies, but in the political maneuvering involving resource allocation, delineation of powers, and long-term interest distribution, he, alone against the entire Council and its vast advisory body, was still severely outnumbered.
He clearly felt that he was, single-handedly, fighting a leviathan that had operated for ten thousand years and was intimately familiar with how to absorb and digest new technologies.
Every argument over a clause was like trying to pry up a heavy cornerstone.
Just as the negotiation reached a stalemate due to Mars' dominance, the Martian orbital control center received several strong signal identification codes from the Mandeville Point.
These signals, transmitted using standard Mechanicum communication protocols, were accompanied by powerful energy signatures, announcing the imminent arrival of forces that could not be ignored.
The first to broadcast its identity was the Neksum Forge World: "This is the Mechanicum Ark Iron Creed, belonging to the Neksum Forge World. Archmagos Vox, Supervisor, is aboard. Requesting entry to Mars synchronous orbit to execute a diplomatic mission."
The Ark's design was archaic and heavy; its deep gray armor plates were covered with the scars and reinforced welds of millennia of service, and its overall silhouette resembled a massive, mobile factory fortress, signifying pure pragmatism and industrial heritage.
Next, a signal with a unique energy hum cut in: "Gryphonne IV Forge World. The Immortal Forge responds to the summons. May the fire of the forge illuminate the path ahead." Its paint scheme was dark red and bronze, with a massive forge and anvil insignia carved into the prow. Exposed energy conduits on the hull glowed with a fiery red light, making the entire ship appear to burn from within.
Then came a clear, steady signal: "Lucius Forge World, Paragon of Artifice, arrived at the designated coordinates. We come for knowledge and progress." This Ark presented a strikingly different style, featuring sleek lines, silver-white armor, and surfaces etched with complex, artistic mechanical patterns and binary litanies. An exceptional number of sensor arrays and communication spires pulsed with calm blue light.
Representative vessels from other important Forge Worlds subsequently broadcast their identities.
The mixed fleet, following procedure, assumed a solemn formation in Mars' synchronous orbit after identity confirmation. These ship shadows, varied in style but equally colossal, hovered like mountains of steel above the Red Planet, their silent pressure momentarily overshadowing the usual bustle of the Martian orbit.
Archmagos Vox did not come alone; accompanying him were the plenipotentiary representatives of several key Forge Worlds, including Gryphonne IV and Lucius.
Upon landing, they met with Osiris immediately.
The atmosphere in the temporary council chamber, guarded by Black Templar warriors, was tense.
Archmagos Volx, whose body was integrated with multiple tread units, occupied the center. Several multi-jointed mechanical tendrils on his back remained in a standby state, seemingly relaxed but ready for action at any moment. His preserved human eyes scanned Osiris with a familiar sharp and pragmatic gaze.
"Osiris, circumstances require we dispense with formalities," Vox began, his voice carrying a metallic resonance, steadier than usual and conveying an unyielding resolve. He used a mechanical tendril to gesture toward his stylistically varied colleagues. "These are Magos Vladimir of Gryphonne IV, Magos Thorne of Lucius…"
After introducing the representatives of the various Forge Worlds one by one, Volx continued: "Each of us faces difficulties, and all of us see Mars' attempt to monopolize the future clearly."
His deep human eyes narrowed slightly, as if calculating invisible stakes, and he continued: "Fighting alone, none of us can counter Mars' sheer size and 'orthodox' status. But united, the power we represent is enough to crush any attempt at technical monopoly. Before arriving, we reached a consensus: to ensure this technology benefits the entire Imperium's Mechanicum, rather than becoming a tool for Mars to consolidate power."
His vox-caster emitted a brief, emphasizing burst of static: "This is a temporary alliance, for our mutual future."
Osiris' gaze swept over the representatives present. Magos Vladimir of Gryphonne IV's armor emitted a low hum from its energy conduit interfaces in agreement; Magos Thorne of Lucius' precise sensor arrays flickered with a calm blue light, nodding slightly.
He understood that Volx had brought not just allies, but an entirely new landscape for the power struggle.
"I comprehend the current situation," Osiris responded steadily and clearly. "Collective strength is the key to breaking this deadlock."
This explicit, interest-bound alliance, with Volx at its core, completely shifted the negotiation dynamics.
When Volx led the joint mission, composed of multiple Forge World representatives, back into the Martian Council's negotiation hall, the atmosphere was drastically different from when Osiris faced the Archmagi alone.
One side of the long table was still occupied by the Martian Council delegation, representing supreme authority and ancient tradition, their deep red robes forming a wall of fire. The other side was the alliance spearheaded by Volx, combining the wills of Neksum, Gryphonne IV, Lucius, and other parties.
Osiris was positioned within the alliance, shifting from being the sole focal point under pressure to being the indispensable technical core and co-owner of mutual interests within the coalition.
Dispensing with the ceremonial greetings, the Chief Archmagos declared the meeting open, and both sides immediately entered into a substantive confrontation.
A torrent of binary language fiercely collided over the negotiation table. Its complexity far exceeded previous exchanges, and the data battle contained the seeds of reallocating resources, power, and the future political landscape.
The technological prospects were already clear, but the path to the future still had to carefully navigate the reefs of real-world interests.
The true practical demonstration had not yet begun, but the shadow war concerning the Imperium's future industrial structure had entered a white-hot stage with the confrontation of the two great factions.