"So, this 'Sandevistan' cybernetic," Inquisitor Kairas pressed, his tone eager, "can it be widely adopted?
What I mean is, if I wanted to assemble a squad of 'iron guard' entirely operated by similar pilots, what would be the cost?
The Inquisition requires reproducible combat power, not isolated cases."
Osiris' reply remained pragmatic: "Technically, it is feasible. The implantation surgery for this model of Sandevistan is somewhat complex and risky, requiring the recipient to have good physical compatibility.
But essentially, it falls under the category of deep cybernetic modification.
As long as Your Excellency the Inquisitor can provide suitable, willing military personnel and cover the corresponding modification resource costs, I can arrange for such surgeries.
Of course, subsequent neural link piloting training is equally important."
"Modification resources are not an issue," Inquisitor Kairas responded decisively. Internal factions within the Inquisition often controlled significant budgets and resource allocation authority, especially when it came to enhancing their own military strength.
"Regarding personnel, I have more than enough loyal Stormtroopers volunteers eager to become stronger. As long as the technology is reliable and the effects are proven, I believe not only I personally, but also the sector Inquisition I belong to, and even my mentor, will show great interest in this 'iron guard' potential and be willing to invest resources in its procurement and deployment," he said, revealing his optimism for the technology's prospects and his confidence in promoting it to his superiors.
"Very good," a barely perceptible hint of satisfaction seemed to emanate from Osiris' synthetic voice. "Then, we have reached a preliminary agreement for cooperation. Specific details, including the number of prototype deliveries, data exchange protocols, and the precise quotation and process for modification services, can be discussed in person at my laboratory in Neksum when it is convenient for you."
"I will expedite the follow-up purification and reporting matters for Vista Prima," Inquisitor Kairas confirmed. "I anticipate departing for Neksum to visit you within three standard days."
As the communication was about to end, Osiris seemed to recall something, adding a flat yet undeniable reminder: "Additionally, Inquisitor, regarding the memories of this encounter with Chaos corruption and some performance details of the 'iron guard'... my current personnel are quite adept, and I currently have no desire to replace them. You know how to handle this."
Inquisitor Kairas immediately understood Osiris' implication.
He responded in a deep voice: "Understood, Magos. The corrupting nature of Chaos knowledge must be isolated. For valuable and loyal non-Inquisition personnel, we have a standard memory-shielding procedure designed to safely erase specific dangerous memory fragments, rather than physical purification.
I will personally oversee it to ensure the process is safe and effective and will not negatively impact their ability to continue serving you."
He gave a clear promise, assuaging Osiris' concerns.
"Very good, I look forward to your visit," Osiris said, then abruptly ended the communication.
In the preprocessing area, the silence returned after the communication was cut, but the atmosphere was now different.
Inquisitor Kairas turned to Maine, his face still bearing the characteristic solemnity of an Inquisitor, but the sharpness in his eyes had softened slightly: "Your Magos has agreed to cooperate. Now, we need to handle the follow-up matters."
His gaze swept over Maine's crew. "Regarding what you saw and heard here just now, especially that Chaos symbol and the blasphemous sights associated with it, they inherently possess characteristics of mental corruption.
For your own safety, and to prevent the inadvertent spread of forbidden knowledge, a memory review is required.
This is a standard procedure and will not cause you permanent harm; it merely removes specific dangerous information."
Maine's crew exchanged glances.
They instinctively felt aversion and unease towards "memory eradication," but they had also personally witnessed the eerie power of the Chaos Sorcerer and the terrifying Bloodletter, knowing that the Inquisitor's words were not false.
More importantly, this was an agreement reached between Magos Osiris and the Inquisitor, a condition for them to be spared from the brink of "purification."
Maine took a deep breath. As the leader, he was the first to state: "We will cooperate."
He knew that in this universe, some rules had to be followed, especially when it came to fundamental survival.
Under the arrangement of the Stormtroopers technical personnel directly under the Inquisitor, Maine, Valerie, Jackie, Rebecca, Dorio, Pilar, Falco, and Morris successively underwent a precise neural scan and memory intervention procedure.
The process was not painful, more like a deep hypnosis, accompanied by specific frequencies and chemical agents. Their detailed memories of the eight-pointed star symbol, the specific appearance of the Chaos Sorcerer and the blasphemous ritual, and the arrival of the Bloodletter were carefully located, blurred, and finally sealed or overwritten.
They would only remember suppressing a factory riot instigated by heretics and cooperating with the Inquisition to eliminate a dangerous psyker leader, as well as the successful combat test of the "iron guard." However, the specific details of the Chaos corruption became fragmented, like looking through a thick fog, no longer possessing clear concepts and corrupting properties.
After the memory processing was complete, Inquisitor Kairas did not linger.
He left some Stormtroopers and Planetary Defence Force troops to handle the final cleanup and disinfection of the factory area, while he himself, along with his core guards and the Imperial Fists astartes, departed first to prepare for the journey to Neksum.
Maine's crew, with fatigue, a slight sense of disorientation from the memory intervention, and two "iron guard" prototypes bearing numerous scratches and scorch marks from the intense battle, boarded the transport ship returning to the upper starport.
The transport ship left Vista Prima's gravitational pull and headed towards Neksum.
Inside the cabin, most of the crew were silent, resting or checking their equipment.
Although their memories had been processed, the tension of the battle and the lingering shock of witnessing supernatural powers had not completely dissipated.
Jackie leaned against the bulkhead, looking at Valerie who was resting with her eyes closed opposite him, and couldn't help but whisper to Maine beside him: "Maine, seriously... how did V do that last bit?
I seem to remember a little, and then it's not so clear anymore... it just felt like 'whoosh,' and that monster was in two pieces."
He scratched his head, looking somewhat confused.
Maine rubbed the scar on his chin. His memory was also somewhat blurred, but the scene of Valerie piloting the iron guard's sudden break out was like a strong impression, seared deep into his consciousness, even though the details were no longer clear.
He said in a deep voice: "Don't ask too many questions. Remember that we completed the mission and tested the equipment; that's enough. The rest... is not for us to delve into."
Valerie opened her eyes. Her face was still pale, the strain from intense Sandevistan use and neural linking not yet fully recovered.
She heard Jackie and Maine's conversation but didn't join in, merely frowning slightly, trying to recall the last moments of the battle, but only felt a slight headache and blurry flashbacks.
She shook her head, no longer forcing herself to remember, and turned her attention to the self-diagnostic data of her internal cybernetic system.
Rebecca fiddled with her plasma blaster, muttering: "Who cares, as long as that bastard got blown up! It's just a shame I didn't get a chance to blast those fiery things with this big guy."
Her memories focused more on the previous scenes of blasting the altar with her plasma cannon and engaging in firefights with the thugs.
Dorio quietly wiped dried blood from her gauntlets, while Pilar and Falco checked their equipment for damage. Morris remained like a shadow in the corner, as if everything had nothing to do with her.
They knew this mission was just the beginning.
And they were gradually adapting to its harsh rules, and with the new power they had gained from Osiris, they were striving to find their place and a way to survive within it.