Under the intentional and unintentional "care" of the various factions, Osiris' flagship, which was undergoing a complete metamorphosis, received a level of resource allocation and technological investment far exceeding that of a standard Novamoon-class.
It was no longer just a cruiser capable of Warp travel; it was a stage for all parties to demonstrate their technical prowess and sincerity for cooperation.
Neksum's contribution was particularly crucial. They did not provide basic materials but instead deeply integrated their most cherished technological achievement—the new Cogitator Array and autonomous decision-making auxiliary system, optimized and upgraded with inspiration from Osiris' early logical core—into the warship's command core.
This system greatly enhanced the vessel's intelligence, enabling more efficient tactical analysis and autonomous response in complex combat situations.
Gryphonne IV not only delivered on their promise of the energy core and shields but also installed an additional, highly efficient energy distribution network, pushing the ship's energy redundancy and instantaneous output capacity far beyond design specifications.
Lucius meticulously refined the sensor array and command links, achieving information processing speed and accuracy that even approached the level of certain smaller Mechanicum Ark Mechanicus vessels.
Mars was equally generous, opening up its valuable starship components vault.
They installed the latest model of the small onboard forge for this special Forge Ship, granting it the same production capability as a normal Forge World; a high-specification multi-functional biological laboratory was integrated into the research module, with equipment precision sufficient for genetic-level analysis; and a collapsible small dock, which could repair vessels up to cruiser size when deployed, and even allow for ship construction when combined with Osiris' mastery of molecular recombination technology.
Furthermore, ancient navigation instruments from Mars' secret caches, optimized thruster arrays, and numerous other details showcased Mars' "benevolence."
The most striking "gift," however, came from the representative of Forge World Hades VIII. They personally crafted a highly shielded psychic isolation chamber, situated in the ship's core, using precious Blackstone material.
This special compartment was primarily designed for the safe detention and study of potentially captured psychic individuals or the secure storage of dangerous relics with strong Warp resonance. Its unique anti-psychic properties ensured the ship's interior would not be polluted or corrupted by such "dangerous samples."
When the final set of external armor plating was welded and polished, and the last main energy line was connected and tested, this special Novamoon-class Forge Ship, a culmination of effort from multiple parties, was finally declared complete in Mars' gigantic dockyard.
It hung silently within the dockyard's stabilization field. Its streamlined hull was heavier and more imposing than the standard Novamoon-class, the armor seams shimmering with a specially treated, dull luster.
Numerous non-standard sensor protrusions and weapon platforms were subtly integrated into the overall design, giving it a sense of power that was not to be underestimated, even in its elegance.
Considering its overall technical standard and the array of rare facilities onboard, it was arguably not much inferior to the Forge Arch Mechanicus vessels, which served as mobile fortresses, moored in Martian orbit.
What it lacked was perhaps only the unique historical heritage accumulated by those Arch Mechanicus over millennia, and the vast, self-contained industrial system within.
However, for Osiris, a veteran Explorator-Magos who had existed since the Imperium's founding, traversing countless ruins and gathering lost knowledge throughout the long ages, historical heritage was precisely what he did not lack.
The secrets sealed within his massive private database, and the technological lineages obscured by time that he knew, were sufficient to compensate for this new vessel's lack of "age."
Archmagos Vox and several other representatives stood in the dockyard's observation gallery, gazing at the finished masterpiece. His mechanical tentacle lightly tapped the railing, creating a rhythmic clicking sound.
"I must say, though the process was noisy," Vox's synthesized voice carried a complex nuance, "the result is indeed impressive. Fabricator-Magos Osiris, congratulations on acquiring a flagship worthy of your status. It ought to have a name."
Osiris' mechanical body stood by the observation window, his crimson optical lenses scanning and storing every detail of the ship. This vessel was the product of the new technological order, embodying the numerous key functionalities required for his future journeys, and serving as the foundation for him to pursue his own path.
He spoke slowly, a name already settled in his mind:
"The Eternal Quest."
He paused, then explained to the Archmagi present: "Knowledge is like the boundless star-sea; one cannot glimpse its entirety in a single lifetime. This name symbolizes the inexhaustible desire for exploration and the infinite pursuit of truth, which is the fundamental principle we Tech-Priests must uphold."
The name skillfully avoided any factional branding, elevating the concept to the core tenet of the entire Mechanicum. It also secretly aligned with his fundamental philosophy of traversing different dimensions, seeking all forms of lost and unknown technology.
Archmagos Vox was the first to transmit an affirmative binary code: "'Eternal Quest'—excellent! It aligns with the essence, transcending factional disputes." He understood that this name was perfectly suited for Osiris.
The representatives from the other Forge Worlds also expressed their agreement. The name showcased noble ideals and avoided political sensitivity, giving them no grounds for opposition.
The Martian representative remained silent for a moment before finally transmitting a confirmation signal—regardless of anything else, the name sounded fully compliant with the Mechanicum's doctrinal purpose.
With the name established, the special Novamoon-class Forge Ship, a vessel that combined the efforts of multiple parties and boasted performance far exceeding the standard, was officially christened the Eternal Quest.
Following a simple and efficient launch ceremony, the Eternal Quest's Warp drive emitted a low hum, a stable and powerful energy field enveloping its long, imposing hull.
Under the gaze of countless sensors in Martian orbit, it did not head for the nearest Mandeville Point but, according to Osiris' first set course, drove straight into the vast void on the outskirts of the star system. It was preparing for its maiden Warp jump, heading toward an unknown coordinate.
Osiris stood on the brand-new, cold bridge, feeling the raw power and untapped potential contained within this flagship of his, the "Quest."
The surface of the new control console was pristine, showing no signs of wear; all indicator lights blinked at their factory-set standard frequency, yet to experience the urgent flashing of real combat; even the air output by the circulation system was "virgin" air, filtered to the highest standard, never having been mixed with oil, sweat, or the fumes of gunpowder.
For him, the Imperium's power games were merely an interlude; the endless sea of knowledge was his eternal path home.
The silhouette of the Eternal Quest slightly warped in the star-sea. The next moment, it vanished, leaving behind only faint, lingering ripples in space, embarking on the first leg of its journey in pursuit of knowledge and the fulfillment of its mission.