After the plasma reactor completed its final commissioning and the "Matter Replication System" technical blueprint was handed over, Osiris shifted his focus to the practical assessment and acceptance of his two apprentices.
He first went to the medical room allocated for David's use.
The air was filled with a mixed scent of disinfectant and nutrient solution, with various precision medical devices silently on standby in the corner.
Inside the life support pod, Gloria Martinez lay peacefully. Her previously pale face had regained a healthy glow, and her chest rose and fell gently with steady breaths.
David stood by the pod. Although there were shadows of fatigue from days of continuous work in his eyes, his overall mental state was noticeably lighter.
Seeing Osiris enter, he immediately straightened his posture and handed over a data pad recording the complete treatment process.
"Lord Magos, the treatment is fully complete," his voice contained barely suppressed excitement. "My mother's nervous system damage is fully repaired, and the function of the damaged organs has been restored to normal through induced gene expression and targeted nanite repair agents. All physiological indicators are within safe thresholds."
Osiris took the data pad, his optical sensors rapidly reading the detailed data recorded.
The treatment log showed that David had adopted a step-by-step approach: first, restoring basic function through delicate neural synapse remodeling, then using Night City's advanced cybernetic medical technology to replace the severely damaged spinal bones, and finally supplementing it with gentle gene induction therapy to activate the body's own repair mechanisms.
Throughout the entire treatment process, David demonstrated a professionalism exceeding that of an ordinary apprentice.
He flexibly combined the Mechanicum's systematic biological knowledge with local cyberware technology, refusing to be confined by a single theoretical system, and always guided by the goal of effective treatment.
Although some steps seemed overly cautious, even somewhat cumbersome, this rigorous attitude ensured that the risks of the entire treatment process were controllable and ultimately achieved the expected goal perfectly.
"The treatment record is complete, the operation process is standardized, and the final effect meets expectations," Osiris' synthesized voice announced the evaluation result steadily. "Assessment passed. You have demonstrated the competence to transform theoretical knowledge into practical ability."
David inhaled deeply and nodded seriously in acknowledgement: "Thank you for your guidance, Lord Magos."
Osiris said no more, turning and leaving the medical room.
For him, this treatment was not only a test of David's learning achievements but also helped the young man unload the heaviest burden on his heart.
From now on, David could focus more intently on his subsequent studies.
Next, Osiris arrived at the workshop's testing area.
Lucy was waiting by a sturdily built, four-legged automaton.
This mechanical creation, about 1.5 meters tall, adopted a reverse-joint design, with four mechanical legs ensuring stability on various terrains.
It was equipped with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun on each side of its torso, and its front sensor array flickered with a faint standby light. The overall design communicated a philosophy of absolute practicality.
Seeing Osiris arrive, Lucy immediately initiated the testing procedure.
With the steady hum of the hydraulic system, the automaton smoothly transitioned from standby to a standing posture. Its four legs moved harmoniously as it walked a circuit of the test route, its movements continuous and stable.
Then, under the commands issued by Lucy via a data pad, it successively completed basic tactical maneuvers such as target lock-on and weapon system readiness.
"Lord Magos, this four-legged automated combat unit referenced the Arasaka and Militech security robot architectures in the database, while incorporating the core principles of a standard controlled automaton," Lucy reported calmly. "It uses an all-electric drive, with composite ceramic and alloy materials for the armor. The fire control system has been simplified and possesses basic friend-or-foe recognition and threat-seeking functions."
Osiris' sensors meticulously scanned every detail of the automaton.
The design indeed borrowed from mature local corporate solutions, particularly concerning the locomotion mechanism and sensor layout. However, the energy core, control system, and weapon modules strictly adhered to the Mechanicum's basic specifications for controlled automata.
While the automaton had no particularly outstanding innovative features, every component met the qualification standard, fully satisfying the assessment requirement that it "must operate normally and execute commands."
"The design is reasonable, the structure is complete, and the operation is stable," Osiris assessed. "It meets the entry-level standard for controlled automata. Assessment passed."
Lucy let out a soft sigh of relief, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly: "Understood, Lord Magos."
For Lucy's current developmental positioning—a future "Techno-Artisan" apprentice—being able to understand and integrate existing technology to manufacture a fully functional, practical automaton had met the expected goal.
This proved she possessed the basic ability to combine theoretical knowledge with practical operation, and it also demonstrated an engineering mindset that adhered to specifications and valued stability.
The two apprentices successfully passed this critical practical assessment, each in their own way.
David showcased his application ability and sense of responsibility in the biomedical field, while Lucy demonstrated her foundational practical competence in mechanical manufacturing and control systems.
Osiris logged the assessment results into their personal files, marking the smooth completion of the initial learning phase for both apprentices, enabling them to begin accessing more profound and specialized knowledge systems.
Having concluded his affairs in Night City, Osiris located Maine deep within the workshop.
The blonde nobleman was standing by his Knight-class Titan, checking maintenance records on a data pad.
"The Death World base has recently experienced several attacks," Osiris stated directly, his dark red mechanical body gleaming in the workshop lights. "While the threats have been neutralized for now, the defensive forces need to be strengthened.
I intend to redeploy one Titan from the Astoria family's Knight Squad for defense."
Maine put down the data pad, his eyes narrowed slightly.
He pondered for a moment, then lightly tapped the data pad with his finger: "Have Zofia lead the team back. She is highly experienced and skilled in defensive warfare. Equip her with four Attendant Titans and corresponding logistical supplies. This will both solidify the defense and maintain a complete tactical unit."
This proposal was more comprehensive than Osiris' initial plan.
He nodded slightly: "Acceptable. Inform Zofia that her mission is to assist Marshal Anvil-7 in reinforcing the base defenses, particularly the security of the Canyon experimental zone."
"Understood." Maine immediately turned and began relaying the instructions via an encrypted channel.
Not far away, Zofia, who was performing maintenance on her Titan, immediately executed a standard Knight salute in Osiris' direction upon receiving the message, then began gathering her team.
Concurrently, Osiris issued preparation orders to David and Lucy.
The two young people, having just passed their assessment, immediately began organizing their gear and documents upon receiving the new assignment.
David moved his mother to the best hospital in Night City, specifically asking the Administrator to help look after her, while Lucy packed her newly constructed controlled automaton into a transport crate.
Maine's crew also assembled in the shortest time possible.
Dorio checked the team's weaponry and equipment, Rebecca excitedly polished her heavy firearms, and Sasha conducted a final inventory of various strange electronic devices. They were now accustomed to these sudden, cross-dimensional transfers.
In front of the dimension transmitter in the core area of the workshop, Osiris performed a final parameter confirmation.
Zofia and her four Attendant Titans had already lined up, their silver-grey armor gleaming coldly in the energy fluctuations.
"Teleportation sequence initiated," Osiris' synthesized voice echoed in the space.
The azure dimension rift unfolded once more, and the desolate landscape of the Death World was faintly visible within the distorted light and shadow.
Zofia's Knight Titan stepped into the rift first, followed closely by the four Attendant Titans.
Next was Maine's crew, the members skillfully filing in.
David and Lucy exchanged a look, took a deep breath, and resolutely stepped into the light-interlaced doorway.
Osiris was the last to cross the rift. After his massive mechanical body was fully immersed, the dimension channel slowly closed, and the workshop returned to silence.
Back at the Death World base, Osiris immediately began arranging follow-up matters.
He instructed Sekhmet to guide Zofia's team in familiarizing themselves with the base's defensive layout, and at the same time ordered Maine's crew to prepare for a new dimension exploration mission.