Rogal Dorn silently gazed at the star chart. Osiris' analysis concerning the Charter Fleets undoubtedly touched upon a crucial, yet often overlooked, lifeblood of the Imperium.
However, the Primarch did not delve into a deeper discussion with Osiris on this topic, which concerned the fundamental operational structure of the Imperium.
He gave a slight nod, acknowledging Osiris' suggestion for a phased, focused deployment, but immediately shifted the conversation back to the technical details and production schedule of the Novamoon-class, moving away from macro-strategic allocation.
This contained Rogal Dorn's deeper considerations. He admired Osiris' technical capabilities and valued the potential for change he brought, but he also maintained the essential political vigilance of a Primarch.
Regardless of his personal intentions, Osiris was, after all, a Fabricator-Magos of the Mechanicum, a technical authority gaining increasing influence within the priesthood.
The symbol of the Imperium is the twin-headed eagle, one head representing the secular Imperium, the other representing the Mechanicum.
After the Great Heresy, this symbolism became more complex, but the essential nature of the Mechanicum as an independent political entity remained unchanged. Even after the near-destruction of Mars during the Horus Heresy, forcing it into deeper integration with the Imperial structure, the Mechanicum was never a mere department or subordinate entity of the Imperium. It was a "state within a state," possessing its own system of laws, faith, military, and a nearly independent economic cycle.
Rogal Dorn might not be adept at or fond of subtle political maneuvering, but he was certainly not ignorant of politics. He understood the necessity of checks and balances on power.
Allowing a Mechanicum Magos, especially one who controlled core technology like Osiris, to excessively influence or even dictate the Imperium's core logistical arteries would be tantamount to handing the Imperium's economic bloodstream over to the Mechanicum.
This was not a personal distrust of Osiris, but an instinctive, necessary check on the enormous entity that was the Mechanicum.
He had to ensure that a delicate balance was maintained between the Imperium's secular authority and the Mechanicum's technological theocracy; any excessive inflation of one side could lead to catastrophic consequences.
Therefore, he could accept Osiris' technical advice to promote the Warp drive's application, but the power to make the final decision on how to allocate this "force" had to remain firmly in the hands of the Imperial High Command—in his hands, Rogal Dorn, and (theoretically) the High Lords of Terra. Osiris could provide the options, but he could not be the one to decide the final course.
"I will coordinate the production and preliminary deployment plan for the Novamoon-class with the Departmento Munitorum and the Navy Command," Dorn's voice returned to its customary sternness, concluding this part of the audience.
"Your next task is to continue refining the Warp drive technology and ensure the Eternal Quest is in optimal condition. The Imperium—may soon have need for its deployment."
This statement was both an acknowledgment of Osiris' work and a clear boundary: technology belongs to technology, and strategy belongs to strategy.
Osiris received the future direction he sought and clearly felt the presence of that invisible red line. He bowed slightly in assent and did not speak further. He had no intention of becoming overly involved in the Imperium's power dynamics.
His goal remained knowledge itself, and using that knowledge to secure a better future for humanity. As long as this fundamental goal was not obstructed, he was content to let Rogal Dorn handle the complex political calculus.
Rogal Dorn quickly switched the topic, moving the discussion from macro-strategy to a more specific and deeply personal matter. His massive body turned toward Osiris, a hint of subtle gravity in his sharp eyes.
"Osiris, there is another matter, concerning the future of my sons," Dorn's voice was low. "In the late stages of the Great Heresy, with troop reserves depleted, the Imperial Fists—like many other Legions—were forced to adopt the 'Emergency Conscripts' model."
He brought up a series of complex biological data charts, pointing to two items that were highlighted and labeled as "omitted": "To accelerate the maturation and adaptation process of the new recruits, I ordered the omission of two of the nineteen surgical augmentations: the Sus-an Membrane and the Betcher's Gland."
Osiris' database immediately retrieved the relevant information. The Sus-an Membrane, implanted beneath the cerebral cortex, allows a Space Marine to enter a protective state of suspended animation when sustaining grievous injury, buying precious time for rescue.
The Betcher's Gland secretes a potent corrosive toxin and reinforces the jaw and teeth structure, allowing the Marine to use them as a final weapon or even to chew through light metal barriers in extreme situations.
Neither was a core organ directly determining combat effectiveness, but both were crucial components in the Emperor's design, providing vital survival assurance and extreme environmental adaptation capabilities for the Space Marines.
"Omitting them was an act of desperation at the time," Dorn continued, his tone carrying the weight of a Primarch's responsibility for his sons.
"But it did not come without a price. The lack of these two organs not only deprived the warriors of their corresponding survival capabilities but also led to a long-term, non-designed imbalance in the regulation of their other glands and nervous systems.
It can even—induce potential psychological issues, such as a greater propensity for uncontrollable rage, or the lack of necessary physiological protection mechanisms when severely wounded."
The emergency measure taken during the Great Heresy had now become a persistent historical problem plaguing the Imperial Fists, and likely other loyalist Legions that adopted similar measures. Gradually rotating out these warriors would be a prolonged process, and it was not the most humane option for the veterans who had survived the crucible of war.
"If it is possible," Dorn's gaze fixed firmly on Osiris, "I hope to complete the missing parts for them. To make them—truly complete Astartes."
He paused, then stated the reason for choosing Osiris: "You were a participant in that original plan, the only survivor who understands the Emperor's and the Astartes Lady's original technical path and complete design.
The Mechanicum of today may be able to replicate the organs, but they do not necessarily understand their initial design logic and the delicate balance within the entire augmentation system. You are the best candidate to solve this problem."
This was undoubtedly a daunting and sensitive task. It involved the most core biological augmentation technology of the Space Marines, its importance perhaps second only to the Warp drive.
Dorn's entrustment of this task to Osiris was an act of absolute trust in his ancient knowledge and biological technical capabilities, implicitly carrying the expectation that this "outsider" would correct a deep-seated flaw within the Imperial Fists.
Osiris' optical lenses flickered slightly, rapidly accessing the massive, long-sealed database concerning the original Space Marine augmentation project.
Moments later, he responded, his synthesized voice still steady but carrying the absolute focus reserved for precision technology: "I understand, My Lord Primarch. The implantation of the Sus-an Membrane and the Betcher's Gland is not a mere organ replacement; it involves the recalibration and reintegration of the entire neuro-endocrine network.
I will require specific sampling and analysis of the current physiological state of the Imperial Fists warriors to formulate a safe and effective reverse-implantation protocol. This will take time, and requires your authorization for me to access and study the warriors affected by this issue."