The 'Iron Men Rebellion' is a permanent scar etched into the history of the Imperium of Man, a technology defined as 'taboo' since the era when the Emperor walked among them!
Any discovery of research into 'Iron Men' would be met with extreme penalties, and all results would be burned and eradicated without mercy!
Even the 'Martian Mechanicum', one of the Imperium's pillars, had divided opinions on the 'Iron Men' issue, but at least openly, everyone's attitude towards the 'Iron Men' was to kill them all, rather than let one escape!
After all, no one wanted to relive the tragedy of the 'Iron Men Rebellion' again. Even within the Martian Mechanicum, the most radical and obsessed with Golden Age, Forge world Stygies VIII, only dared to conduct research in secret.
They even went so far as to obstruct the Inquisition and the Space Marines of the 'Deathwatch' from invading the Administratum's databases to destroy relevant evidence!
On ancient Holy Terra, there is a saying that perfectly describes the actions of Stygies VIII.
Some things, if not weighed, are insignificant.
But once on the scale, two thousand catties won't even hold it down!
As long as it wasn't brought to the table, tearing apart the faces of the major factions and maintaining their tacit understanding, even the biggest matters could be resolved privately. But if 'evidence' was found, that would be tantamount to tearing off their faces.
It was precisely because of this that Drayne was stunned for more than ten seconds the moment he saw that 'Iron Man', but then immediately changed his expression.
What heresy?
If it's not discovered, it doesn't exist!
For a Rogue Trader to traffic 'Iron Men' was perfectly reasonable, especially since they were a Rogue Trader dynasty that had spanned millennia and was personally recognized by the Emperor!
For such an ancient dynasty to produce relics from Golden Age, he wouldn't find it strange at all.
For a Rogue Trader to traffic 'Iron Men' was even more in line with common sense, especially since they were a 'dynasty'. Isn't it normal for them to possess such relics from Golden Age?
"I finally understand" Drayne swallowed, his fervent emotions subsiding slightly as he gazed at Emrys with a profound look: "No wonder, even though Emrys has fallen, that Forge Archmagos on Mars would still come forward to protect you."
The Forge Archmagos of the Martian Mechanicum is one of the High Lords of Holy Terra!
"Praise be, so your answer is..."
Emrys' eyelids drooped. Although he had guessed it long ago, he was still somewhat shocked to hear it for real.
So, the powerful figure behind old man Horn was indeed the Martian Forge Archmagos. No wonder he dared to cause such a stir in Rosales, and the Administratum, the Departmento Munitorum, and even the Ecclesiarchy had no reaction at all.
"This is a gift from the great Omnissiah" Drayne caressed the Iron Man, a look of obsession on his face: "It's too perfect. No Mechanicus Priest can refuse it, can they?"
He took the bait.
Sometimes, dealing with Mechanicus Priests is much simpler than dealing with nobles.
Of course, the prerequisite is that you have connections, otherwise, with the Mechanicus Priest's style, they wouldn't hesitate to use violence directly. After all, they have the power of the Skitarii, and neither the Mechanicus Priest nor the Skitarii are to be trifled with.
Moreover, Stygies VIII... has a Titan Legion!
"What do you want?"
Drayne got straight to the point, no longer wanting to waste time. He was already impatient to study this 'Iron Man' AI!
He knew very well that this was an enormous 'deal'!
Not to mention how much could be researched from this 'Iron Man' AI, its inherent value alone was enough to elevate his position on Stygies VIII by another rank!
This was no mere Iron Man; it was his future! It was his destiny!
At this thought, Drayne almost lost control of the surging emotions within him. His eyes, full of fanaticism, stared at the 'Iron Man', caressing it carefully as if it were a cherished lover: "Anything I can give you... I will give you!"
Seeing this, Emrys was not surprised in the slightest.
Mechanicus Priests, especially those from Stygies VIII, are actually quite similar to 'senior shut-ins'; they will stop at nothing when they encounter something they love.
Emrys' lips curled slightly, a glint in his eyes like a beast baring its fangs: "No, no, no... I already said, Lord Drayne, we are 'friends'."
To Drayne' surprise, he said unhurriedly: "Since we are friends, we shouldn't be so vulgar, and this 'Iron Man' is... my gift to a friend. What do you think?"
"Such great ambition"
Although Drayne was tempted, he was not blinded by profit and shook his head: "To exchange an 'Iron Man' for my friendship, your ambition is too great... I dare not agree."
There's no such thing as a free lunch; he understood that principle. Moreover, judging by Emrys' actions, this kid was not someone to be trifled with!
It sounded good, a free gift for a friend... Heh heh, if he really agreed, who knew how much it would cost to be his friend?
The shrewd Drayne was unwilling to get involved with 'Emrys'. He would rather pay a greater price than sell himself out for an 'Iron Man' in such an unclear way!
"That's truly a pity" Emrys sighed, not disheartened, and smiled: "Since you are unwilling to accept my friendship, then this Iron Man... I can only temporarily take it back. Perhaps 'certain people' would be more interested in it and wouldn't mind my friendship?"
His main point was that selling it was impossible, unless they 'became friends'.
Drayne gritted his teeth in anger. He couldn't help but understand the hidden meaning in Emrys' words: if you don't want it, he'll go find Rosales!
What 'certain people'?
It was clearly the Dark Mechanicum!
"Sly boy" Drayne cursed under his breath, a hint of helplessness on his face: "Alright, I must admit, I really need this Iron Man... Just tell me, what exactly do you want?"
"A Titan?"
Emrys said jokingly.
"Are you crazy? Or am I crazy?" Drayne sneered, pointing to the door: "Get out. I don't want the Iron Man. Let's see who dares to agree to you!"
What a joke! Even the Dark Mechanicum next door, unless they were insane, wouldn't possibly agree to that condition!
"Alright, just a little joke."
Emrys shrugged. He knew it was impossible, but he was just trying his luck in case: "You should be very clear about the situation in the Siluria hive city, right?"
"I know, what's wrong?" Drayne didn't quite understand why the topic shifted so quickly: "If you're worried about safety, I can assure you there will be no danger. This is Stygies VIII's territory!"
When saying this, Drayne had full confidence.
After all, the Siluria Forge Core hides a Warlord-class 'Titan'. If the situation truly reached an irreversible point, Stygies VIII would let those damned heretics witness what is called... the Omnissiah's wrath!
"No, what I mean is... I have a way to resolve the current predicament." Emrys said calmly: "Lord Drayne, this is your area of responsibility. If it's too severely damaged by those heretics, I imagine it will also affect your reputation, won't it?"
"Tell me about it."
Drayne was immediately curious. If it didn't affect the exploration progress and Titan defense, he would be happy to repel those heretics.
Emrys leaned in and whispered a few words. Drayne' eyes flickered slightly, and he asked doubtfully: "Are you sure this method is really feasible?"
"Of course, as long as you agree and order the Astra Militarum, Space Marines, and Skitarii not to interfere." Emrys smiled slightly and said: "By then, the situation will be much alleviated."
Drayne pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly: "Alright, but I cannot give a direct order. You should understand... what the Imperium's attitude is towards heretics."
"Oh, by the way... there's one more thing." Emrys enthusiastically put his arm around Drayne, looking familiar, and chuckled: "There's one more thing, as a friend... you wouldn't refuse, would you?"
Drayne was already getting a headache; the cost of this 'friendship' was simply too great: "Tell me, what is it now?"
"An elite Skitarii force, at least a thousand strong, and heavy equipment. Of course, a few Leman Russ tanks would be even better." Emrys said with a shameless smile.
""
Even Drayne was startled by Emrys' exorbitant demand, his eyes wide: "Don't even think about it, impossible!"
Heavy equipment, Leman Russ tanks, a thousand-strong elite Skitarii force—he didn't have much of this power on hand. If he gave it to Emrys, what would he have left to protect himself?
"Don't be so quick to refuse, Lord Drayne, aren't we friends?" Emrys, thick-skinned, grabbed Drayne, who was trying to escape: "Since we're friends, we should help each other, shouldn't we?"
"No deal. Being your friend costs too much." Drayne sneered: "How about you just take the Iron Man back?"
"What if I told you... I could give you a piece of human technology from Golden Age?" Emrys, unhurried, brought out his tried-and-true trick again.
That's right, it was Golden Age again!
Sure enough, upon hearing that phrase, Drayne' struggles lessened, and he eyed him suspiciously: "Are you sure it's technology from Golden Age?"
"I swear on the name of Emrys!"
Emrys immediately raised his finger, looking earnest: "It's absolutely technology from Golden Age, and it's about 'spacetime' research!"
The Emrys brand still had some credibility... well, for now, at least. As for later, that was hard to say.
Drayne, half-believing, was still somewhat hesitant. On one hand, the cost was too great; on the other, he found it very difficult to resist the temptation of Golden Age.
"Relics... on Vigilus?" Drayne wasn't stupid. Since Emrys dared to say this, it meant that the relics from Golden Age must be on this world.
"That's right, it's in the largest Vigilus Sandstorm Vortex on Vigilus." Emrys said directly, not minding at all: "This was found by my Emrys family ancestors a long, long time ago, but unfortunately, due to certain reasons, they were never able to take it."
"Aren't you afraid I'll refuse you and then go look for it myself?" Drayne felt something was off, something strange. Given the kid's shrewdness, he shouldn't have revealed the exact location so directly, unless... there was a problem!
"Alright, I still can't hide it from you." Emrys made a suitable show of embarrassment and said: "In fact, there are defensive measures from Golden Age inside. Although my ancestors had maps, now... as you know, we lack the power, which is why we came to you for cooperation!"
No wonder... Drayne suddenly understood, and at the same time, a sense of pride welled up in his heart. But he was still very hesitant, not wanting to pay such a high price: "But isn't the risk too great?"
"Lord Drayne, just think... that's technology from Golden Age!" Emrys once again deployed his most skilled 'deception', whispering into the ear of the wavering Mechanicus Priest: "You should know better than I do how much value is contained within it!"
"Are you... content to spend your entire life on Vigilus, as an unknown Archmagos?"
"Don't you want to become a true Forge master, in charge of your own Forge world?"
"Think about it, Lord Drayne."
"With your current aptitude, how many years will it take before you can hope to possess a Forge world of your own? But now, you only need to pay a small price to save decades, even a century of time!"
"Next time, there won't be such an opportunity... Lord Drayne."
After a few minutes of silence, Drayne was tempted. He had to admit that Emrys' words made a lot of sense. If he didn't take a gamble, he would never have hope of becoming a Forge master in his lifetime!
If he was going to gamble, he would go all in!
With the 'Iron Man' as evidence, Drayne already believed Emrys. Since that was the case... he suddenly looked up, with a hint of madness: "Alright, I agree! I'll allocate five thousand Skitarii, fifty Leman Russ tanks, and heavy firepower. I hope you don't disappoint me, my friend!"
Good gracious, this is... an all-in bet?!
Emrys was stunned by Drayne' boldness.
One must know that the total number of Skitarii in the entire Siluria hive city was only around fifty thousand. Drawing one-tenth of them at once was Drayne' limit without affecting the Titan's defense!
If anything went wrong, Drayne would be held accountable and would at least be turned into a servitor!
This showed how great the temptation of a Forge world was to a Mechanicus Priest!
But unfortunately... Emrys smiled, a thought hidden in his heart: the relics of Golden Age that Drayne was hoping for would likely have a subtle difference from what he imagined.
Exchanging ten 'Space Bridge' transfer devices for the 'Claw of the Void', plus thousands of Skitarii, dozens of Leman Russ tanks, and heavy equipment... this deal was too good!
What? A profiteer?
Don't be silly, no business without cunning, and he was a Rogue Trader; how could he not fleece people!
After making the pleasant decision, Emrys felt relieved. Just as he emerged from Drayne' Forge Sanctum, he suddenly felt the ground shake!
Immediately after, he saw a massive mushroom cloud rise into the sky, looming over the southeast of the hive city. The terrifying psychic power contained within it swept and raged like a storm, dyeing the sky... an eerie purple!
"What... the f***?!"
Emrys' eyes widened instantly, his pupils seeming to tremble, and he felt as if his throat was choked by something: "Psychic... explosion?!"