Before the team departed, during the brief period of rest, an atmosphere of anticipation mixed with tension permeated the team members.
David Martinez found Osiris amidst this atmosphere.
The young man stood before the massive, dark red mechanical body, trying to maintain a facade of calm, but his slightly tensed jawline and the fleeting glint of desire in his eyes did not escape Osiris' keen optical sensors.
"Lord Magos, I…" David began, his words catching in his throat, seemingly unsure how to properly express his request to participate in actual combat.
Osiris' mechanical head tilted slightly, his crimson optical lenses focusing on David, that steady and dispassionate gaze seeming to penetrate flesh and bone, reaching directly into his restless heart.
"David Martinez," the synthetic voice rang out steadily, with an undeniable authority, "your value at this moment is not in charging into battle with a bolter.
The path of the Adeptus Mechanicus is forged from an endless ocean of data, a rigorous ladder of logic, and ancient techno-theology.
Power is a natural byproduct once knowledge is understood to a certain degree, not the ultimate goal."
One of his mechanical tentacles silently pointed to the learning area sectioned off on one side of the laboratory, where mountains of ancient data-slates were displayed, along with arrays of cogitators connected to immersive neural-infusion interfaces.
"Your genetic optimization and neural system modifications are foundations laid to bear more complex knowledge, not to allow you to prematurely enter a battlefield not suited for your current level.
Completing the study and assessment of 'Basic Dogma Infusion,' 'Introduction to Techno-Theology Volumes I to VII,' and 'Standard Binary Logic Language (Advanced Applications)' is your sole and most important task at this stage.
Until you prove to me that you possess the qualifications to understand and safely wield deeper mechanical fusion, combat is not your domain."
David met the inhuman gaze of his creator, feeling the iron logic and absolute will beneath the calm words.
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the urge to prove himself in his chest, transforming it into a firm nod: "I understand, Lord Magos. I will focus on my studies."
In contrast, Lucy appeared quiet and submissive. She stood alone at a slightly distant but appropriate position, neither too close to disturb nor too far to clearly hear every one of the Magos' instructions. When Osiris finished with David and turned his gaze to her, she immediately lowered her eyes slightly, assuming a posture of respectful listening.
"Your initial neural scan and psychological evaluation report indicate that you have a significant innate propensity for electronic signal perception and intuitive data stream processing," Osiris said to Lucy.
A more slender and nimble mechanical tentacle opened a holographic projection in the air, displaying the internal structure diagram of a cybernetic servitor firepower platform and the complex battlefield data chain network.
"Within the system of the Adeptus Mechanicus, there is a class of technical experts specialized in remote coordination and control of automated war units; they are called 'Datasmiths.' Your characteristics show a high degree of compatibility with this path."
Lucy raised her purple eyes, her gaze humbly sweeping over the complex intertwined data streams and mechanical structures in the holographic projection, then respectfully looked back at Osiris.
Although there was no overly exaggerated expression on her face, her focus and obedience were clearly visible. She bowed slightly, responding in a calm and respectful tone: "Thank you for your guidance, Lord Magos. I will do my utmost not to disappoint your expectations."
"However," Osiris' synthetic voice slightly deepened, emphasizing the crucial point, "becoming a qualified Datasmith is far more than just learning to press attack commands.
You need to deeply understand the operating principles, weaknesses, and maintenance cycles of every type of cybernetic servitor; you need to be able to independently construct and maintain battlefield data chains, ensuring that commands remain unobstructed in complex electromagnetic environments; and you need to master methods for countering enemy electronic warfare and network intrusions.
All these abilities are built upon a firm grasp of the fundamental knowledge of the Adeptus Mechanicus."
"I understand, Lord Magos," Lucy bowed slightly again, "I will start with the most basic knowledge and never act rashly."
Osiris seemed satisfied with her attitude, said no more, and ended the conversation.
Thus, as Maine, Valerie, and Jackie, fully armed, boarded the transport ship bound for Vista Prima, David and Lucy — two newcomers with different backgrounds and goals, yet both incorporated into the vast system of the Adeptus Mechanicus — remained in the quiet and solemn laboratory, facing an ocean of data and knowledge, beginning the long and tedious accumulation phase they had to undergo as apprentices.
For them, the real challenge had perhaps just begun.
—
The transport ship passed through the dense debris field in Vista Prima's planetary orbit and slowly descended to a designated starport in the upper levels of the Hive City.
Unlike the pure industrial order of Forge World Neksum, the Hive World presented Maine's crew with a different kind of impact.
The air was filled with carefully blended fragrances and purified recycled air, as the ventilation system in the upper sectors efficiently filtered out any unpleasant odors from below.
As far as the eye could see, there were towering, magnificent buildings, their exteriors covered with polished metal and bulletproof glass, and countless hover-vehicles traversed orderly through designated aerial lanes.
Although natural light still struggled to penetrate this metallic firmament, meticulously designed artificial light sources illuminated every street as if it were daytime, with various holographic displays and Imperial Aquilas flashing alternately, signifying the prosperity and order of the place.
In the background, the regular hum of city operations and the noise-reduced engines of flying vehicles echoed, forming an orderly white noise.
They did not linger in this well-ordered upper sector.
A squad of fully armed Arbites was already waiting at the designated starport; the leading officer was a stern-faced middle-aged man whose armor was covered in scratches that indicated his experience, and the rank insignia on his shoulder displayed him as a Sheriff.
He stood at attention, his gaze sweeping over Maine's crew's excellent equipment with professional scrutiny.
"I am Sheriff Atkins," his voice was steady and powerful, carrying the authority of long-term command, "By order of my superiors, I am to escort you to the lower boundary. The areas further down are complex, and regular law enforcement is difficult to effectively cover."
Under the escort of the Arbites squad, they passed through the mirror-smooth passages of the upper sector and took a clearly marked, well-maintained dedicated elevator, beginning their descent into the depths of the Hive City.
As they descended, the surrounding environment gradually changed; the light was no longer as bright and dazzling, and the air began to mix with more complex smells.
Graffiti and some markings of unknown meaning began to appear on the walls.
Occasionally, eyes peered from the shadows, but they quickly averted their gaze upon seeing the fully armed Arbites team.