The news of the successful Warp drive test exploded like thunder in a confined space, completely changing the negotiation dynamic between the Martian Council and the Forge World Alliance.
The resulting shock, especially with Osiris clearly aligning himself with Vox and the Alliance's demands, was nothing less than a spiritual earthquake for the Martian Council.
When negotiations resumed, the atmosphere was fundamentally different.
The sense of composure and arrogance, based on absolute authority, that had previously characterized the Martian delegation's data streams vanished, replaced by a sluggishness and heaviness they desperately tried to conceal but which was still discernible.
They faced a situation that was nearly unsolvable.
The core contradiction lay bare on the table: if they conceded to the Alliance's demands and relinquished the monopoly on technical certification and production licenses, the foundation upon which Mars maintained its preeminent status would instantly crumble.
Mars' control over the other Forge Worlds stemmed not merely from military or economic superiority, but precisely from the technological shackles—manifested as "standards" and "licenses"—that Mars had established alongside the Imperium since the Great Crusade. Without this privilege, Mars would, legally, be no different in essence from Forge Worlds like Neksum, Gryphonne IV, or Lucius, merely a larger and more ancient one.
This was something Mars could never accept.
However, reality forced their hand.
Before the successful test, the presence of Primarch Rogal Dorn was more of a potential deterrent, forcing extreme dissenting voices within Mars to temper themselves and be willing to engage in "consultation" at the negotiation table.
At that time, Mars still had room to maneuver, believing they would at most pay a price for "compromise," far from the point of having to "bow."
But now, everything was different.
The Warp drive was no longer a theoretical concept on paper or a prototype awaiting verification; it was a proven technology, tested live and witnessed by the Primarch himself. Osiris held tangible leverage—the means to reshape the Imperium's future. And he chose to cast that leverage with the Alliance.
More critically, Primarch Dorn's will, amplified by the successful outcome, became unprecedentedly clear and firm. Continued opposition was no longer a viable option.
The Martian Council's dilemma was no longer whether to yield, but how to yield. They had to strive, within the confines of inevitable retreat, to "kneel less awkwardly," attempting to salvage some face-saving or residual influential clauses from the ruins of the collapsing old order.
"...We still maintain the necessity of unified technical standards," the Chief Archmagos' code carried a stiff, almost rigid adherence, but this persistence was the last stand of an exhausted force. "However, in specific technological fields, we could establish a 'Joint Research and Certification Committee,' with participation from Mars and the key Forge Worlds..."
Vox's mechanical tentacle emitted a slight click, signifying skepticism, and interrupted: "The definition of 'participation' needs clarity, Chief Archmagos. Does it mean decision-making power, or merely advisory rights?
We believe that for technology independently developed and successfully validated by individual Forge Worlds, the certification authority should belong to the developer itself. The Committee should only be responsible for record-keeping and information sharing, ensuring basic compatibility."
Osiris quietly joined in, his data flow precise and lethal: "The technical standards for the Warp drive will be formulated by myself, based on the test data and the actual needs of the Imperial Navy. I propose that this be the template for the new standard-setting process—led by the technology's creator, with all parties consulting to ensure applicability."
The Martian data stream momentarily devolved into severe disarray. Osiris' statement was tantamount to stripping Mars of its voice in setting new core technology standards, marginalizing it entirely.
The negotiation entered its most brutal phase. Mars steadily lost ground, trying to establish defenses on every minute detail to preserve even a shred of its former privilege. The Alliance, armed with the powerful backing of proven success and their unified front, relentlessly advanced, dismantling Mars' resistance piece by piece.
Mars, the very heart of the Mechanicum, was being forced to personally dismantle the technological barriers it had proudly built.
This process was painful and slow, but the tide had definitively turned, and there was no turning back. All they could do now was try to leave as many Martian fingerprints as possible on the inevitably signed new agreement, a document symbolizing the transfer of power, thereby delaying the moment of complete fall from grace.
Facing the crushing defeat at the formal negotiation table, unable to hold any substantial line of defense, the Martian side finally resorted to their most reluctant, yet last, measure—bypassing the Alliance and attempting direct, private contact with the key figure, Osiris.
An extremely secretive meeting took place deep within an ancient Data Sanctuary on Mars. The representative for the Martian Council was an exceptionally senior Archmagos, rarely seen in public, whose red robes were embroidered with silver threads symbolizing ancient lineage.
Without unnecessary pleasantries, the Archmagos directly presented Osiris with staggering conditions via a highly encrypted binary stream:
Mars would mobilize all its resources and influence to help Osiris establish a completely new, personal Forge World in a resource-rich star system, with Mars guaranteeing long-term production orders sufficient for its operation and prosperity;
Immediate bestowal of the title "Fabricator-General," which holds immense authority and honor within the Mechanicum, granting him a seat on the Martian Council;
Private gift of a complete, unbroken STC template, the value of which was incalculable;
Furthermore, they would open access to parts of Mars' secret technological vaults, allowing him to select several precious ancient technological relics...
Any single one of these conditions would be enough to drive most Tech-Priests into a frenzy, willing to pay any price.
This was undoubtedly the utmost sincerity Mars could offer to preserve its core interests, aimed at pulling Osiris, the greatest variable, back into the Martian camp, or at least ensuring his neutrality.
However, Osiris' dark-red mechanical body stood still in the dim light of the Sanctuary. His crimson optical lenses watched the other Archmagos steadily, without any fluctuation. He calmly received the entire information stream, not even taking extra time to "weigh" or "calculate" the offer.
"I appreciate the Martian Council's high regard," Osiris' synthesized voice was steady as usual, showing no sign of being swayed by the immense benefits. "But what I seek is not a personal Forge World or a title."
He paused slightly, allowing the meaning of his words to sink in clearly: "Technological progress must serve the entirety of the Imperium, not become a tool for a minority faction to consolidate power.
A more open, competitive, and vibrant technological environment is far more valuable than an island belonging to a single individual. The STC template and ancient relics are certainly precious, but if their knowledge is monopolized and cannot be converted into real power to advance the Imperium, their significance is greatly diminished."
He directly rejected the offer, a temptation that would move any other individual, his code carrying undeniable conviction: "My position will not change. I support the establishment of a fairer technical sharing and certification system. This is what is best for the Imperium."
The Martian Archmagos' data stream instantly froze. Although his heavily augmented face could not display rich expressions, the frantic focal shifts of his optical lenses and the sudden increase in internal cooling system noise betrayed his inner shock and incomprehension.
He could not fathom that someone could so flatly refuse such a "generous gift," purely for a seemingly ethereal concept like the "overall interest of the Imperium."
Osiris' refusal completely blocked Mars' last path to try and dismantle the Alliance from the side. He not only possessed the technology to change the balance of power but also a terrifying clarity and foresight, unshakeable by immediate personal gain.
This clarity made Mars' final struggle seem particularly pale and futile. The reality they now had to face was this: they had been surpassed not only technologically but had also lost on grounds of morality and vision.