The energy fluctuations triggered by the Genesis Particle Release Device on the surface of the barren planet far exceed the intensity and range of conventional industrial activities or weapons tests.
Although the experimental area was located at the edge of the galaxy, at a considerable distance from the Death World base, the energy signature, resembling the birth of a new star, was still inevitably captured by the high-sensitivity sensor arrays deployed in the Death World's orbit and on its surface.
This naturally includes the monitoring equipment that the Black Templar Company has set up in the mountain fortress.
Just as Osiris had predicted, the Black Temple did not remain silent on the matter.
Approximately three standard hours after the energy fluctuations subsided, a Black Templar Thunderhawk gunship detached from the hangar of the mountaintop fortress and flew directly toward the main take-off and landing platform of the Death World base.
The gunboat's engine emitted its distinctive low roar, and the Imperial Eagle and Black Templar cross emblems on its black armor appeared particularly solemn in the pale light of the dead world.
Osiris was not surprised; he had already anticipated this situation.
He ordered the Thunderhawk gunboat to land and wait in a conference room on the Eternal Quest, a room used for receiving important external visitors.
The airtight door slid open, and two giants stepped into the room.
The leader was none other than Brother Hector, the company commander of the Black Templar Company.
He was dressed in standard black power armor, with the company's runes and the fortress emblem symbolizing steadfast defense engraved on his shoulder armor. He was not wearing a helmet, revealing a weathered, rugged face with sharp, eagle-like eyes.
Following him was Brother Eckhart, the company's think tank director.
He was also helmetless, his short, graying hair was cut extremely short, and his face was more refined than Hector's, but his eyes seemed to flicker with invisible psionic flames.
His power armor is inlaid with many spiritual runes and book-shaped decorations, showing his dual identity as a psionicist and a custodian of knowledge.
The presence of the two Astartes made the originally spacious conference room feel somewhat cramped.
They nodded slightly to Osiris, giving a brief military salute, their posture carrying the discipline ingrained in the bones of Astartes and their habitual scrutiny of non-legion personnel.
"Magos Osiris." Company Commander Hector's voice was like the clash of rocks, direct and without redundancy. "Not long ago, our monitoring system detected an abnormal and violent energy release on a nearby planet, the pattern of which is different from known Imperial technology or common threats."
By order of the Primarch, I am responsible for ensuring the security of this sector and for being aware of any events that may affect the defense posture.
His gaze was fixed on Osiris' expressionless, mechanical face: "Could you tell me the purpose and nature of that experiment?"
Osiris' crimson optical lens steadily met Hector's gaze, and the synthesized voice sounded in its usual calm tone: "That was a feasibility verification experiment for planetary environment restoration technology."
He paused briefly, then pulled up the pre-prepared, filtered data charts and projected them onto the main screen in the conference room.
The charts show comparative data on surface composition, atmospheric density, and temperature distribution in the barren planet experimental area before and after energy release, highlighting the establishment and stabilization trend of the water cycle system.
"As you know, whether it was the fierce battles during the Great Crusade or the devastating consequences of the Great Rebellion, many worlds within the Empire's territory have become uninhabitable dead worlds or barren planets due to failed environmental modifications, ecological collapse, or the misuse of weapons."
Osiris' data stream cited several famous cases from the Imperial Archives, such as the Garden World, which was completely corrupted by a viral bomb, or the Industrial Planet, whose atmosphere was dissipated and whose surface became glassy due to orbital bombardment.
"Humans have been exploring the stars for over 30,000 years. Many planets have been continuously developed and exploited, and their environmental carrying capacity has long since reached its limit, even dating back to before the Dark Ages of technology."
Restoring the ecological environment of these worlds has undeniable strategic value for alleviating the empire's population pressure, stabilizing its border regions, and even enhancing logistical support capabilities.
His explanation was logically rigorous and based entirely on the actual needs of the empire.
"The core of the technology I'm testing lies in a special energy field that can accelerate planetary-scale geological stabilization processes, promote the generation and circulation of basic atmospheric components, and lay the foundation for the subsequent introduction of selected life forms. The goal is to establish an efficient and controllable planetary environmental remediation process."
Company Commander Hector listened in silence, his sharp gaze sweeping over the data on the screen.
He was not proficient in the specific technical details of environmental remediation, but the strategic significance that Osiris expounded was consistent with his understanding of the imperial dilemma.
A world plagued by resource depletion and environmental degradation is indeed a long-standing problem for empires.
"Does this technology have potential for military applications? For example, could it be used to modify the enemy's environment as a weapon?" Hector pressed, a question born of his instinctive concern as a military commander.
"In theory, any environmental modification technology could be used for offensive purposes." Osiris did not deny this, but quickly steered the conversation back to a more manageable level, "However, this experiment focuses on repair and reconstruction. Its energy release pattern is constructive, aiming to create rather than destroy."
Weaponizing it requires entirely different energy focusing and release strategies, which is not the focus of current research.
At this moment, Eckhart, the think tank director who had been silent, spoke up. His voice carried a resonance unique to psionicists: "In that energy fluctuation, I sensed a kind of activity that... transcends the purely material level. It seems to touch the realm of life itself."
Osiris turned the optical lens toward Eckhart, and the data stream was smooth and undisturbed.
The think tank's psychic perception is indeed keen.
"The interaction between energy fields and matter can indeed produce complex biochemical reactions, which are an unavoidable byproduct of environmental remediation." Osiris acknowledged some of the facts but cleverly avoided the core issue: "The formation of basic organic molecules was observed in the experimental area, which is a fundamental step in building an ecosystem."
More complex life phenomena are not currently a focus of attention, and their potential pathways remain far from clear.
His answer was half true and half false. He acknowledged the catalytic role of the primordial particles in the origin of life, but limited it to the framework of "environmental remediation byproducts" and "unclear potential," thus avoiding directly revealing their core ability to actively guide and accelerate the evolution of life.
Hector and Eckhart exchanged a glance.
They maintained their inherent caution regarding the experiments conducted by the Mechanicus Sages involving unknown energies.
However, Osiris' explanation was logically consistent, and his stated goals aligned with the interests of the empire, without showing any obvious heretical or dangerous tendencies.
More importantly, the Primarch's command was to garrison and keep watch, not to interfere with the legitimate research of an Explorer Magos.
"We understand," Company Commander Hector finally said, his tone slightly softening. "Thank you for your explanation, Magos Osiris. Please understand, it is our duty."
"It's necessary for my duties, which is understandable," Osiris responded.
The brief meeting came to an end.
Hector and Eckhart said no more, saluted, and turned to leave. The Thunderhawk gunship quickly took off and returned to the mountain fortress.
Osiris stood silently in the conference room, the crimson optical lens watching them leave.
He successfully provided a logical and technically sound explanation for the creation experiment that fit the imperial narrative, temporarily allaying the Black Temple's concerns.
However, he knew that the Eckhart think tank's perceptions touched on the very edge of the issue.
The potential of Genesis Particles extends far beyond environmental restoration.
Its true value lies in its ability to guide, repair, and even reshape life forms.
Research in this area must be conducted in greater secrecy.
He pulled up real-time monitoring data of the barren planet, where the ecosystem within the energy shield was still evolving rapidly.
He has developed a preliminary theoretical model regarding the possibility of life restoration, but large-scale application experiments require a more secure timing and more comprehensive isolation measures.