Inside the dedicated compartment of the Eternal Quest, a comprehensive diagnostic of the STC system lasted for a full seventy-three standard hours.
As the final analysis report appeared on the main control screen, a somber atmosphere enveloped all the tech priests present.
Osiris' mechanical body stood still in front of the control panel, with cold data flowing through the optical lens.
The diagnosis clearly showed that this valuable STC system had suffered permanent functional damage.
More than 40 percent of the functional modules in the core processing unit of the system have completely failed. These modules involve not only manufacturing functions, but also key subsystems such as material optimization, design calculations, and energy management.
"The database is 62.3 percent damaged," the chief tech priest said with barely suppressed regret. "We have lost almost all of our advanced knowledge base on materials science and energy technology."
The remaining data is mostly incomplete.
Even more disheartening were the diagnostic results regarding the system's core intelligence.
The intelligent core that once drove the entire system has permanently ceased operation.
All awakening protocols failed, and the machine spirit did not respond to any external stimuli, as if it had fallen into a deep sleep from which it would never wake up.
"With our current technology, it is impossible to completely repair this system." Another tech priest concluded somberly, "Even if we transport the system back to Mars and use the most advanced resources of the entire Cult of Mechanicus, we can at most stop the system from deteriorating further and restore less than 10% of its full functionality."
This news plunged all the tech priests into deep outrage.
A young priest couldn't help but smash the data panel in his hand, and fragments flew everywhere on the metal floor.
"The Van Sauer family! These ignorant barbarians!" he roared in fury. "They are utterly unworthy of such a sacred relic! How could they allow such a precious treasure trove of knowledge to fall into such a state!"
Another senior priest proposed even more vehemently: "All members of the Van Sauer family should be made into servants of atonement! Let them serve this sacred object they destroyed forever, and atone for their sins with eternal torment!"
A chorus of approving binary curses erupted inside the cabin.
The Tech Priests found it hard to accept this cruel reality—they had found the legendary complete STC system, but could only watch helplessly as it remained in this incomplete state.
However, Osiris remained calm in stark contrast to the others.
His massive mechanical body turned toward the enraged priests, and a synthesized voice rang out smoothly: "Anger cannot repair the sacred object."
His calmness did not stem from indifference to the loss, but rather from the fact that he possessed a secret unknown to anyone else.
During an archaeological excavation during the Great Expedition, he accidentally discovered an extremely valuable restored STC.
This STC consists of four independent units, each of which is a one-time consumable, but its effects far exceed the current empire's understanding.
The working principle of this restorative STC involves operations at both the time and conceptual levels.
Instead of restoring the item's functionality through conventional physical repairs, it directly resets the item from a "damaged" state to a "whole" state.
This technology has completely exceeded the scientific understanding of the current human empire, and has even touched upon some of the fundamental laws of the universe.
Osiris had seen encrypted files about the Repair STC in the internal records of the Mechanicus.
The archives record the astonishing effects of this sacred object: from the simplest tools to the most complex war machines, and even entire starships, all can be restored to perfect condition by using the corresponding repair unit.
Even more incredibly, this repair not only addresses physical damage, but can also fix data loss and system failures.
"Magos," the chief tech priest noticed his unusual calm and asked with a puzzled look, "you don't seem surprised by this outcome?"
Osiris closed the encrypted file, and the optical lens turned to the priest who was asking the question.
"The loss is indeed heartbreaking," he said in a steady synthesized voice, "but this is not the end."
He did not directly reveal the existence of the restorative STC.
If news of such a relic were to leak out, it would not only cause a frenzied struggle within the Cult of Mechanics, but could also attract the covetous eyes of the Inquisition and other forces.
This secret must be kept strictly confidential until absolute security is ensured.
"Continue to maintain the existing functions," Osiris issued a new instruction, "with a focus on repairing the materials synthesis and basic manufacturing modules. Even with only partial functionality, this system still has irreplaceable value."
Although the tech priests were still indignant, they obeyed the order and began their work.
They readjusted the energy allocation, prioritizing the operation of system modules that were still functioning.
The data recovery team began attempting to repair the database blocks that were not yet completely damaged. Although progress was slow, they managed to prevent the overall system from deteriorating further.
At the same time, Osiris began to prepare the restoration plan.
He plans to select a system maintenance cycle and schedule a period of independent operation after the tech priests have completed their routine checks.
This ensures that the repair process is undisturbed and conforms to standard operating procedures.
Over the next few standard days, the tech priests continued to work diligently to maintain the existing functionality of the STC system.
Through tireless efforts, they successfully restored the stable operation of the three material synthesis reactors, enabling the system to continuously produce seventeen special alloy materials.
The performance parameters of these alloys are significantly superior to most of the materials currently available in the Empire.
The database repair team has also achieved some initial results.
They successfully salvaged some of the energy weapon design blueprints. Although the data integrity was only 40% to 60%, the engineering principles contained within still have high research value.
In the past, even these incomplete documents would have been enough for an ordinary construction worker to qualify for promotion.
During this period, Osiris carefully studied the relevant materials and records of the restorative STC.
Each unit of this ancient artifact can only be used once, and the four sets he has mean that they can be used for four major restorations.
Although the value of a single unit is enough to exchange for a planet with excellent conditions, Osiris believes that it is entirely worthwhile to use it to repair the complete STC system.
To ensure the best repair results, Osiris meticulously planned the operation process.
He needs to first put the system into standby mode, adjust the power supply to a specific frequency, and then activate the repair unit at the designated location.
When the tech priests confirmed that the system had reached its current optimal state, Osiris believed the time was ripe.