"Regarding profit distribution," Osiris' synthesized voice was steady and clear, each syllable like a precisely calibrated mechanical command, "I believe that a 70% share of net profit is reasonable.
Furthermore, I also require complete command authority over a Warhound-class Titan; it must be entirely dedicated to my research sequence, free from external deployment."
The air in the Sanctum seemed to freeze instantly at this demand.
Archmagos Vox's massive mechanical body jolted backward, its treads scraping against the metal floor with a harsh, piercing sound.
"Seventy percent? And a Titan?" His voice rose sharply in shock, mixed with an overloaded electrical hum, "Osiris, the profit-sharing ratio you've proposed far exceeds the framework of conventional cooperation.
As for the Titan—that is a sacred relic revered by the Titan Legions, each one registered within the Legion's prepared by, its deployment and ownership involving the highest council of Mars.
Even with my authority as an Archon of oversight, it is absolutely impossible to assign it to a personal research sequence; you should propose a practical and feasible solution."
Osiris' optical lens slightly adjusted its focus, the crimson glow as steady as ever, seemingly having anticipated Archmagos Vox's strong reaction.
"Then, let's change the condition." His tone remained calm and unruffled, "I require a complete squad of servitors, which must include at least two Kastelan Robots, along with a full set of maintenance equipment and a spare parts library."
He paused briefly, letting the new bargaining chip settle in the air, then continued: "As for profit distribution, the 70% ratio is based on a strict calculation of technological value, research risks, and future market income."
"A servitor squad can be arranged." Several of Archmagos Vox's mechanical tentacles trembled slightly due to emotional fluctuations, "But a 70% profit share… Osiris, this ratio will severely impact Forge World's own resource accumulation and long-term development plans.
I must be responsible for Neksum's overall interests and the expectations of the Archon Council; such a distribution plan will be difficult to approve."
The negotiations fell into a brief silence, with only the distant, unchanging low roar of the main forge faintly audible through the thick walls, like the heartbeat of this Forge World.
Osiris' processor was performing parallel computations at a speed beyond human comprehension, evaluating the weight of each variable and the possibilities of exchange.
After a moment, he spoke again, his voice still calm: "The profit distribution ratio can be adjusted to 60%. In exchange, I need to obtain the title of Forge Master and be allocated a forge."
This number was still far higher than usual, but it had moved from an unnegotiable exorbitant price into a realm where difficult negotiation was possible.
A substantive technical title, coupled with the promise of a forge, while a considerable investment of resources and authority, was undoubtedly a more actionable choice within the systemic framework compared to permanently giving up 70% of the profits and that utterly unrealistic Titan demand.
Archmagos Vox's restless mechanical tentacles gradually calmed down, his sole remaining human eye narrowed slightly, quickly weighing the pros and cons of this new proposal.
"Given the strategic value and market potential demonstrated by this power armor technology you submitted, securing the 'Forge Master' title certification for you is procedurally compliant and logically convincing; I can use my influence to ensure this." Archmagos Vox's tone returned to his usual steady demeanor as a chief executive, containing shrewd calculation and a balance of power, "As for an independent forge… that represents a substantive division of production authority and basic resources, which are core assets of the Forge World.
It can be reviewed and allocated according to established procedures after you officially obtain the 'Forge Master' title, based on the actual benefits generated by the project and its contribution to Neksum; this is a principle that cannot be changed."
"I can accept this condition." Osiris calmly confirmed, without superfluous words.
Sixty percent of the net profit share, a servitor unit that would significantly enhance his military autonomy and base defense capabilities, plus a clear path to the substantive authority of "Forge Master," and a promising future forge representing his own production foundation—his core strategic objectives for this negotiation had largely been achieved.
"Then, the agreement is hereby established." Archmagos Vox finally announced, a mix of mental fatigue from completing a major gamble and a sense of relief.
He knew that despite the cost, by securing this project, he had secured Neksum's key bargaining chip to stand out in the Adeptus Mechanicus' internal competition for decades to come.
"I will immediately issue the deployment orders for the servitor units, ensuring their priority assignment to your command sequence. All necessary authorization documents, technical handover, and resource coordination matters will be personally supervised by me."
His massive body turned towards the slowly rotating power armor holographic image, adding, with a hint of anticipation for the future in his voice, "Now, we need to concentrate all available resources and energy to transform this precious technical blueprint into a real product capable of igniting the entire Imperial market and reshaping the equipment landscape."
Osiris said no more, responding with a precise, millimeter-perfect nod befitting Adeptus Mechanicus etiquette, then turned and left the Sanctum with steady, firm steps.
The heavy metal door closed silently behind him, once again isolating the inner and outer spaces, and sealing within it the alliance of power and interests that had just been forged.
Walking down the corridor back to his private laboratory, Osiris' core thoughts had seamlessly switched to an efficient execution mode.
Internal data streams, like a surging river, began to meticulously plan the subsequent steps: the reception process for the servitor unit, adaptive deployment plans, the organization and encrypted submission of the complete power armor technical data package, and how to maximize the utilization of resources that the Forge World would soon provide to accelerate subsequent testing and iteration cycles.
The soon-to-arrive automated combat units would significantly enhance his direct military force's rapid response capability and the base's operational flexibility, while the "Forge Master" title and the associated future forge would mean a higher level of administrative autonomy and independent production capacity.
The value of these substantive powers and infrastructure far exceeded the monetary profits on paper.
And in the Sanctum, which had returned to silence, with only the whispers of data streams and the pulse of the furnace remaining, Archmagos Vox stood alone, gazing at the astonishing parameters on the power armor schematic.
Although Osiris had taken a significant portion of the profits and a batch of valuable military assets, a subtle ripple, representing the satisfactory outcome of a logical calculation, slowly emerged on his heavily modified face, which usually showed little expression.
Using these controllable, phased costs to bind a decisive project capable of bringing Neksum immense prestige, economic benefits, and strategic initiative for decades to come, ensuring that this Forge World could solidify its position, and even gain further capital, in the fierce competition within the Mars Council and internal factions—this transaction, fundamentally analyzed for profit and loss, concluded that it was worthwhile.
His cold logical core told him that to rekindle Neksum's forges and make its flames reach their former glory, sometimes, one must invest enough valuable fuel.
After concluding the negotiation with Fabricator-General Vox, a negotiation concerning immense benefits, Osiris' core thought processes did not cease.
The moment the agreement was reached, a massive amount of follow-up execution directives and resource allocation plans automatically generated and prioritized themselves within his logical threads.
The heavy alloy gate of the laboratory slid open silently, and the constant cool white light and strictly filtered air inside immediately enveloped him.
Unlike the solemn atmosphere of the Sanctum, where power and ancient knowledge intertwined, here was an aura of pure technical rationality and efficiently operating energy fields.
Several servo-skulls floated quietly in their designated orbits, their eye sockets flickering with a faint glow that subtly adjusted its frequency as he entered, indicating recognition and obedience.
He did not pause, walking directly to the main console. A data interface, as if possessing its own consciousness, extended from his robe sleeve and precisely connected to the console's port.
"Retrieve the terms of the agreement just finalized with Archmagos Vox," his synthesized voice echoed in the silent laboratory, its tone slightly more relaxed than usual, as if the successful negotiation had brought a subtle, almost imperceptible sense of satisfaction.
A pale blue holographic document instantly unfolded before him, listing the key terms just settled: a sixty percent net profit share from the Mortal Power Armor project; priority assignment of a complete intelligent-control automaton squad, including at least two Death-class automatons; and a promise to promote him to the title of "Forge Master" and allocate an independent Forge World after the project yields significant benefits, according to protocol.
His optical lenses quickly scanned each item, performing a final logical verification.
"Profit sharing is direct resource feedback, the intelligent-control automatons can immediately strengthen our defenses, and the Forge Master title and Forge World are cornerstones for long-term development," he murmured to himself, as if confirming his judgment. "The main objectives for this time have been achieved."
"Alright, there are a few things that need to be arranged immediately," his voice returned to its usual steady tone, but the wording was less rigid. "First, prepare to receive that intelligent-control automaton squad, and plan their deployment at the Death World Base and its outer perimeter here.
Second, organize all technical data, test records, and optimization plans for the Mortal Power Armor prototype, raising the encryption level to the highest. Finally, issue preliminary summons to the 'Delta-7' and 'Epsilon-3' technical teams, and set the project codename as 'iron guard'."
"Directive confirmed, executing now," a servo-skull responded, its eye beams projecting a task list and progress bars.
Having dealt with these immediate matters, Osiris turned his attention to the specific execution level of the project.
He needed the project's two most crucial "live test subjects" — Valerie and Jackie.
An internal communication directive was silently sent to their personal terminals in the laboratory's affiliated residential area.
—
The side door of the laboratory slid open soundlessly, and Valerie and Jackie entered, one after the other.
Compared to the irrepressible novelty and awe they felt upon first arriving at the Forge World, their expressions now were noticeably subdued.
Valerie's steps were still steady, betraying the instincts of a professional agent, but the sharpness in her gaze had dulled slightly, replaced by a nearly numb silence forced upon her by the extremely orderly environment.
Her ordinary casual clothes looked particularly out of place in this space filled with precise instruments and flickering data.
Jackie's change was even more pronounced.
The seemingly inexhaustible vitality he possessed, originating from the streets of Heywood, seemed to have been gradually drained away by the endless metal walls, the constant stark white lighting, and the lifeless hum of machinery around him.
He looked somewhat listless, his fingers unconsciously rubbing together, as if searching for the memory of Night City's air, a mixture of smoke, alcohol, sweat, and neon signs.
They stopped about five meters from Osiris, nodding slightly in deference.
"Lord Magos," Valerie's voice was still respectful, yet it carried the brevity of someone completing a routine task.
"Boss, is there a new mission?" Jackie tried to make his tone sound enthusiastic, but the deep-seated longing in his eyes — a longing for something concrete to break the current monotonous life — was exposed without a doubt.
Osiris' crimson optical lenses silently swept over the two, sensors instantly capturing and analyzing their heart rate, microcirculation, and pupil reactions, among other physiological data.
His logical core quickly concluded: the target subjects showed slight signs of mental fatigue due to poor environmental adaptability, but their physical functions and obedience remained at an acceptable level.
"I called you here for a mission, related to the Mortal Power Armor project that Valerie you have been testing," Osiris cut straight to the chase without any pleasantries, his synthesized voice echoing clearly in the laboratory. "My coordination with the Forge World's high command has yielded results. The project is now officially listed as a priority development sequence and will receive corresponding resource allocation and support."
Valerie and Jackie's eyes instantly lit up; their previous dejection and sullenness vanished, replaced by complete focus.
Osiris continued to elaborate, and simultaneously, a simplified holographic diagram of the Power Armor appeared beside him, slowly rotating, blue lines outlining the machine's silhouette.
"The core task for the next phase is to finalize the design of the official model, based on the performance data accumulated from 'Experimental-01,' especially the driving feedback you provided, Valerie, and to conduct preliminary mass production verification."
He paused briefly, allowing the information to fully sink in. "The Forge World will dispatch a team of professional Tech-Priests to lead the specific advancement of the project. Valerie, as a key test pilot with direct driving experience, you need to fully cooperate with their work.
However, considering that you are now accustomed to the neural-interface operation method, I need a new pilot."
His optical lenses turned to Jackie, the light slightly focusing: "Jackie Welles, you will be responsible for testing the standard operation version. Focus on evaluating this system's adaptability, operational intuitiveness, and ease of learning for ordinary pilots who have not undergone deep neural modification."
"No problem, Boss! You can count on me for this!" Jackie immediately puffed out his chest, a wide smile spreading across his face, rubbing his hands together as if he had finally found an opportunity to show off his skills.
"Valerie," Osiris' gaze turned to her, "you will continue to focus on the neural-interface version. Your mission is to further explore the tactical potential of this mode and ascertain the limits of human-machine collaboration.
The combat data you collected during the New Saturn tests is the foundation for all of this, and it is very important."
"Understood, Lord Magos," Valerie nodded solemnly, her mechanical right arm unconsciously tightening slightly, her knuckles emitting an almost inaudible hydraulic sound.
Being able to continue piloting that powerful machine made her feel that her abilities and value had received substantial confirmation.