The small exploration vessel dispatched by Emrys was suspended in orbit above the world designated CV-7721.
This expedition was also the first true mission for the fleet led by Emrys.
Therefore, he attached great importance to this expedition, not only sending out several exploration teams but also specifically stationing a company of Dark Angels within the forward survey vessel to guard against any unforeseen circumstances.
Alfonso Fraser was both the Captain of this Dark Angels combat company and held the highest command authority for the forward survey.
He also understood the importance of this exploration mission to the Emrys family.
Even before arriving, Alfonso had received orders from Captain Olsen: no matter the cost, this mission must be completed perfectly!
This concerned not only the prestige of Emrys but also the honor of their Dark Angels.
However, reality dealt Alfonso a heavy blow.
All three initial exploration teams, after entering the world, lost contact simultaneously within less than three hours.
Their only discovery was the wreckage of a former Mechanicum Ark Fleet that had crashed on world CV-7721.
Alfonso stood with his arms crossed, a half-white cloak draped over his right shoulder, and the bird-like auspex on his helmet intently focused on the real-time data monitoring world CV-7721, his face expressionless.
"What is the situation with the exploration teams?"
"The world's atmosphere is experiencing severe ionization disturbance; our communications have been cut off."
Tech-Priest Igus retrieved the data, shook his head, and said in a hoarse voice.
"I regret to inform you, lord Alfonso, that we are temporarily unable to contact the exploration teams or ascertain their current status."
Upon hearing this news, Alfonso's gaze seemed to freeze for a second.
Then, he pondered for a moment and asked.
"What is the specific reason?"
"I apologize, lord Alfonso," Tech-Priest Igus sighed, continuing to shake his head.
"The ionization concentration in this world's atmosphere has dramatically increased; unless we risk a forced breakthrough, we can only wait for the storm to pass before we can contact the exploration teams."
During the exploration of an unknown world, many unexpected situations often occur.
For example, the world's harsh atmospheric environment, various strange creatures, or even bizarre phenomena influenced by the Warp.
These were all issues he had to consider, and for now, he could only wait patiently.
After several hours of patient waiting, the ionization storm on world CV-7721 finally returned to calm.
At the same moment, the forward survey vessel also received a communication request from the Delta team, which had been dispatched to the world.
"This is world CV-7721."
"We are Delta Exploration Team, calling the monitoring center from the landing site, requesting communication."
"It's a communication request from Delta Team."
The Traveler responsible for receiving Warp signals, wearing a prayer helmet and connected to a dense array of cables.
His voice was devoid of emotion, as cold as a puppet or automaton, like a living machine—this was the function of an astropath.
To provide stable Warp communication for various ships, and even exploration teams, in space.
"Received, this is Q-1 Forward Communication Relay station, we have received your communication request; please report your current status, over."
The astropath's emotionless voice, transmitted through the sonic array system, converted the information into psychic signals and sent it back.
A moment later, they again received communication from Delta Team.
"We have successfully established a landing zone on world CV-7721, available for fleet landing."
"Currently, we have no casualties. According to the data survey by the Tech-Priest, the world's environment is at least B-class, qualifying as a habitable world within the Imperium's regulations, and can be designated a 'Forge world.'"
"According to the Rogue Trader authorization granted by the Imperium."
"The Emrys family will possess the natural resources, ownership, and priority benefit rights of world CV-7721."
"Praise the God-Emperor, praise Lord Merlin Emrys, this is a beautiful paradise world!"
Delta Team's communication was clear and fluent, describing their various discoveries.
Including the beautiful pink ocean and the abundant resources hidden beneath the entire world, astonishingly vast elements and ores that could move anyone—the Imperium's most scarce resources!
Although it was covered by the sea, with the Mechanicum's technology, transforming it would be simple.
Before long, this would become a world so rich in resources that even the Mechanicum would covet it.
Possessing such vast resource reserves would be enough for the Emrys family to establish a stable cooperative relationship with the Martian Mechanicum, thereby having a Forge world as a backing—such an immense temptation was enough to drive any Rogue Trader mad!
"By the Omnissiah... is this actually true?!"
The data transmitted back from Delta Team almost drove Tech-Priest Igus mad; he stared intently at the data, even losing his composure and gesticulating wildly.
"Praise the Machine God, praise the God-Emperor, this is simply paradise!"
The resource reserves of this single world could almost rival those of the Forge world of Stygies VIII!
It should be known that the Forge world of Stygies VIII could contend with the Martian Mechanicum not only because of its Dark Age technologies but, most importantly, because it controlled the largest portion of resources within the Imperium!
But even the resources of the Forge world of Stygies VIII were inferior to those of world CV-7721!
"This... this kind of ore is... natural Adamantium?!"
Igus was practically insane; he looked at the mineral data explored by Delta Team on the data pad, his eyes red.
"My goodness, this is simply a miracle of the Machine God; there's a nearly natural Adamantium ore vein here!"
Adamantium is the strongest known alloy discovered by the Imperium!
It originated from the technological achievements of the Imperium of Man during the Age of Strife, and currently, only a few Mechanicum Forge Worlds control its production.
Precisely because of this, Adamantium holds an indispensable and significant value within the Imperium!
However, on this world designated CV-7721, there was a natural ore vein extremely similar in structure to Adamantium, and its reserves were enormous!
This meant they could control a natural Adamantium ore vein not under the control of the Adeptus Mechanicus!
With an Adamantium ore vein, the Emrys family would become highly sought after in the Imperium, an existence no one would dare offend easily!
This was no exaggeration; one must know... Adamantium is something only a very select few are qualified to use.
And the largest-scale deployment of Adamantium is in the Imperial Palace on Holy Terra, and among those rumored 'Custodes' who guard the Emperor!
As a Rogue Trader, once one possessed Adamantium, he could also connect with the 'Custodes.'
Who wouldn't know the prestige of the Custodes?
Thinking of this, Igus could no longer hold back; he seemed to already see his brilliant future!
"Lord Alfonso!"
He looked at the other party excitedly, his voice filled with unconcealed exhilaration.
"I believe we can immediately land on this world, verify Delta Team's data, and find this natural Adamantium ore vein!"