While Osiris focused on analyzing the results of dimensional exploration and advancing the "clone" project and Iron Guard training, a heavy transport ship belonging to the Neksum Forging World, accompanied by several escort ships, ended its long subspace voyage and slowly sailed into the Death World star system.
The ship's identification code and the Vox Archmagos' authorization quickly passed the scan of the orbital defense network.
The transport ship was given permission to approach, and its massive hull eventually stabilized above the base's main take-off and landing platform.
Osiris received notification of his arrival. He temporarily suspended his work in the biological laboratory, and his massive, dark red body appeared at the edge of the landing platform.
The cargo ship's belly hatch slowly opened, and the heavy sound of mechanical operation echoed in the thin atmosphere.
The first vehicle to drive off was the Vox Archmagos' iconic body, which incorporated a multi-track chassis.
The edges of his red robe were stained with the slight marks of his journey, but his mechanical eyes shone with a brighter, more determined light than when he left.
"Magos Osiris." Vox's synthesized voice carried subtle electromagnetic noise from his long journey, but its core frequency was stable and powerful.
"Archmagos Vox," Osiris replied, his crimson optical lens sweeping across the other party, quickly assessing his condition.
"The Mars mission has come to an end."
Vox cut to the chase without much small talk, transmitting a data stream to Osiris via a short-range encrypted link. The data included a summary of the negotiation results:
"The new technological order framework is being gradually implemented. Neksum has thus gained unprecedented development opportunities. All of this began with the changes you brought."
The data stream briefly mentions the key benefits Nexus gained: exclusive mining rights to several rich star systems, shared access to several STC fragment research rights that were previously strictly restricted by Mars, and a significantly enhanced voice within the Mechanicus Council.
"The agreement was reached as a result of negotiations among multiple parties," Osiris responded calmly, without taking credit for it.
"But the foundation of this game was provided by you." Vox's mechanical tentacle made an emphasizing gesture. "Neksum will remember this contribution. The promise I made when I left has now come to be fulfilled."
His data stream transmitted a document of industry ownership, along with corresponding coordinates and a structural diagram.
"The 'Resilient Anvil' VII forging complex, located in the Helios Mountains industrial zone on the main planet Nexus, is now permanently under your ownership," Vox explained.
Judging from the transmitted information, it was not a small workshop, but a large foundry with a complete production line, independent energy array and attached residential area. Its scale was large enough to be regarded as a miniature industrial city.
According to reports, the complex had been shut down for some time due to a decrease in interplanetary orders and resource allocation issues, but its core facilities remained intact.
"Ownership and full management of this furnace have been transferred," Vox continued. "It can provide the foundation for any large-scale production needs you may have in the future."
And because Neksum received new orders, the furnace will also be assigned new production tasks.
If you have no objections, it will accept production orders from the foundry world, just like other furnaces.
Osiris quickly browsed through the information.
Acquiring a ready-made, large-scale foundry with complete infrastructure means he has a stable and controllable production base, the value of which far exceeds the simple gift of resources.
"This resource is very valuable," Osiris confirmed.
"Moreover," Vox continued, "given that your cutting-edge research here requires faster and more direct logistical support, a factory on Nexus may not be able to fully meet all your immediate needs."
As he spoke, a huge, modular structure slowly moved out of the transport ship's hatch, supported by an anti-gravity platform.
It was a scaled-down furnace unit. Although its size was far smaller than that of a comprehensive system like the "Resilient Anvil," it was still a fully functional casting facility, including a basic smelting area, a finishing platform, and a forming workshop.
It resembles a miniature steel city seed, capable of being delivered into space by large transport ships.
"This 'pioneer-class' mobile furnace was built specifically for you by Neksum using the latest technological standards."
Vox's synthesized voice carried a hint of composure after accomplishing a major task.
"It will serve you directly from here, ensuring your research and development have immediate and reliable material support."
The mobile furnace brought by the large transport ship, together with the ownership documents on Neksum, constituted a well-structured and extremely substantial support package.
Osiris received all the technical data, startup key, and maintenance agreement regarding the mobile furnace, and confirmed the ownership certificate of "Resilient Anvil" No. 7.
He quickly planned the installation location of the mobile furnace internally—there was enough space near the base's energy core for deployment and connection.
"Timely and long-term replenishment of resources is crucial to the development of the base," Osiris told Vox. "The fulfillment of this promise has met expectations in both efficiency and depth."
"This is how Neksum treats true collaborators," Vox responded. "Your growth in power is also in Neksum's interest. We look forward to seeing you achieve more…remarkable results here, and in the future at the Anvil of Resilience."
After the brief handover was completed, Archmagos Vox did not leave immediately.
His multi-jointed mechanical feet slightly adjusted their direction in place, his main body turned towards Osiris, and the data stream was transmitted at a more private encoding frequency.
"The new framework has been established, but the road ahead still requires caution." Vox's synthesized voice was deep. "Mars will not be content to merely play the role of gatekeeper. Neksum needs more solid allies and a clearer direction."
Osiris' crimson optical lens steadily focused on the other party, instantly analyzing the probing behind the words.
He responded that the data flow was smooth and consistent: "The technological recovery will not stop here. My exploration will continue, and more archaeological discoveries will be brought back. The forgotten knowledge will be far more valuable than a single warp drive."
He paused slightly, allowing the weight of the message to be fully conveyed: "Neksum's advantage lies in being among the first to embrace change. To consolidate this advantage, we need to establish longer-term, more institutionalized collaborative relationships with members of the Forging World Alliance, such as Gloria and Lucius, rather than just temporary alliances based on mutual interests."
Only a close alliance can ensure that channels for technology sharing and development remain open in the long-term struggle with Mars.
The processor inside Vox emitted a low hum, a sign of high-speed computation.
Osiris' words point to a grander picture that transcends the current distribution of technology—an alliance system bound by a continuous influx of ancient technology, with Neksum as a crucial hub.
"A longer-term relationship…" Vox repeated, his mechanical eye focusing its light, "This requires sustained and substantial 'data' support." His wording was cautious, but the meaning was clear: Neksum needed exclusive or priority sharing of Osiris' future discoveries to maintain and enhance its core position within the alliance.
"My discovery needs suitable soil to take root and sprout." Osiris' response was equally subtle but firm, hinting at the future cooperation model: "The future of the Archmagos Vox, Neksum, lies in whether it can become an indispensable cornerstone under the new technological order."
A brief silence enveloped the two sages, with only data flowing silently within the encrypted channel.
Vox eventually sent a confirmation code indicating that he had received and understood the message.
"Your logic is crystal clear," Vox said. "Neksum will seriously consider ways to deepen ties with its allies. I look forward to your future explorations providing more… solid stepping stones for this path."
The strategic communication has now reached a basic consensus.
The Archmagos Vox did not linger; his tracked chassis turned, and he moved toward the waiting transport ship.
Osiris immediately mobilized servants and engineering units to begin transferring the mobile furnace to its designated location.
Meanwhile, the ownership of that dormant industrial complex in Neksum has quietly changed hands.
This is not only a generous gift, but also a signal that Osiris is more closely bound to Neksum and the allied faction he represents.
With this generous gift and tacit understanding, the base's immediate production capacity and long-term strategic potential have entered a new phase.