Osiris' mechanical body emitted an almost inaudible hum, a characteristic of his high-speed thinking. After a moment, he spoke, "Regarding new growth points, I might be able to offer another direction."
Vox's single eye immediately focused on him, and his multispectral bionic eye adjusted its focus, showing great interest. "Oh? Tell me."
"Based on certain STC fragment data obtained from past archaeological excavations, combined with my personal research, I have designed a power armor system suitable for use by auxiliary forces or the Imperial Guard," Osiris stated calmly, without boasting or humility, as if reporting an established fact: "Currently, the prototype has been completed and has undergone initial testing in a controllable combat environment. The results meet and even slightly exceed my expectations."
As he finished speaking, a nimble mechanical tentacle extended from beneath his robe sleeve and precisely connected to the sanctuary's holographic projection interface.
An encrypted data stream was called up, displaying a brief combat log video between the two.
In the footage, the power armor, painted dark red, was maneuvering in a simulated urban ruin environment.
Its movements were steady and efficient. Its ability to maintain balance and its passability over rugged terrain were significantly superior to common Sentinel mechs or other common Imperial ground vehicles.
When simulated, swift xenos units launched a surprise attack from behind cover, a light blue kinetic shield instantly deployed around the power armor, deflecting the initial volley.
Immediately after, its shoulder-mounted laser turret quickly locked onto and suppressed one target, while its arm-mounted storm bolter cleared the threat on the other side with precise bursts.
The combat log Osiris brought up fully demonstrated the power armor's various capabilities.
In a crucial segment, an armored target simulating a heavy unit broke through the suppressive fire and approached. The dark red power armor did not choose to evade but calmly moved forward to meet it.
Its right power fist, glowing with a faint energy aura, accurately struck the target's front, easily crushing and destroying it.
This efficient destruction mode clearly demonstrated its lethality as a close-combat solution.
The segments Osiris selected primarily showcased the power armor's comprehensive survivability in complex environments, its fire coordination, and its tactical flexibility in responding to different threats, rather than merely pursuing visual impact.
After the video ended, he added, "Test data indicates that this system can significantly enhance the sustained combat capability and survival probability of mortal soldiers on high-pressure battlefields. Its modular design also facilitates logistical maintenance and functional expansion."
Vox's mechanical tentacles unconsciously traced patterns while watching the log, his optical lens precisely capturing every tactical detail of the power armor in the footage.
"Heavy power armor designed for mortal troops... integrating a shield system, modular weapon interfaces, and comprehensive all-domain environmental adaptability..." His deep voice carried a professional consideration, "This design concept is quite complete."
Vox's mechanical tentacles abruptly froze in mid-air, and even his rhythmic low-frequency hum seemed to pause for a moment.
His massive track base moved forward slightly by half an inch, and his human eye locked onto Osiris, his gaze burning, as if trying to pierce through the dark red armor.
"Do you understand what this means, Osiris?" His voice was lowered, but it carried an irrepressible, almost trembling eagerness, "This is not an ordinary military upgrade—this is a discovery capable of redefining the entire Imperial armed forces landscape!
The Imperial Guard! Hundreds of millions! Even if only one ten-thousandth, no, one hundred-thousandth, were equipped in the most elite regiments! That would still be an order that would swamp the entire Mars council table!
Every Forge World still operating in the galaxy, its furnaces would roar for decades for this single model!"
One of his mechanical tentacles suddenly pointed at the still-dissipating holographic image, with several tiny arcs of electricity sparking from its fingertip: "And you, Explorer Magos, stand here so calmly, showing me this... this treasure."
His tone suddenly became incredibly sharp, with an undeniable interrogative edge, "Tell me, what exactly do you want? Merely to pass Mars' audit and obtain that patent license?
No, that's far from enough. When you started this project and brought it before me, what exactly were you planning?"
His massive body leaned slightly forward, the oppressive feeling almost palpable: "Let us be frank, Osiris. Such immense profit cannot be covered by a mere 'technology sharing.' State your true conditions."
Facing Vox's burning gaze and undisguised greed, Osiris' voice remained steady: "The technical path of this power armor is clear, and its true value lies in its unparalleled practicality and scalable market potential.
What it can bring to you and Neksum will be a stable and massive flood of profits, far beyond the trickle of an 'ancient logic core' that is limited to specific domains."
He deliberately paused here, allowing the magnificent vision of "orders swamping all Forge Worlds" in Vox's mind to fully ferment and expand.
Then, he continued with a pragmatic and undeniable tone: "Of course, as you saw in the combat log, the project is currently still in the prototype verification stage.
To transition it from a successful prototype to mass production and meet the vast market you envision, the entire Forge World will need to pour resources into it.
I need the most top-tier Tech-Priest teams to participate in optimization, dedicated production lines for process verification, and massive amounts of test materials to accumulate enough data to pass Mars' audit.
All of this support is necessary to accelerate the process and transform the blueprint into real orders sooner."
Vox let out a low hum mixed with hydraulic sounds, and several secondary mechanical tentacles swayed dismissively in sync, making a gesture akin to a "wave."
"Resources? Support?" His voice deliberately carried a sense of effortless ease, as if discussing a trivial matter, "In the face of such... such a scale of potential profit, the investments you mentioned are merely adding necessary lubricant to the great gear, the basic cost to ensure the engine runs at full speed—insignificant!"
His massive track platform emitted a subtle driving sound, causing his heavy body to tilt forward by half an inch, bringing a more direct sense of oppression.
His unique human eye locked onto Osiris' optical lens, trying to catch any fluctuation: "Osiris, we are both rational beings serving the Omnissiah. Time is precious; there's no need to repeatedly circle around these basic steps.
Tell me, to leverage this wealth capable of changing the destiny of a Forge World, what is your true, ultimate asking price, Explorer Magos Osiris?"