Chapter 452: Dorn's Hesitation
Ryo knew clearly that this was by no means a project that could be accomplished overnight.
This grand plan had to be advanced cautiously in phases.
The primary step was to conduct sufficient theoretical verification and initial seed cultivation; that is, utilizing the optimized blueprint to cultivate the first generation of gene-seed samples in an absolutely controlled experimental environment.
Building upon this foundation, the project would enter the in vitro tissue testing phase.
Utilizing these new seeds to induce the generation of corresponding organ tissues within bioreactors, their structural integrity and functional activity would be strictly tested and systematically compared with similar organs cultivated through traditional methods.
Only after obtaining preliminary data support and necessary approvals could limited-scale in vivo trials be initiated.
In this phase, the novel gene-seed would be implanted into an extremely small number of rigorously screened volunteers, and the complete endogenous organ development process within their bodies would be subjected to comprehensive, uninterrupted close monitoring.
Ultimately, the project would enter a lengthy period of long-term stability observation.
Tracking research lasting years or even decades would be conducted on individuals who successfully completed the augmentation to conclusively evaluate the long-term stability of their physiological systems and the extent of their combat effectiveness improvement in actual combat environments.
And most crucially, to determine whether the optimized gene-seed possessed stable, pure inheritability.
With Reid, a successful "future sample," Ryo was able to bypass countless trial-and-error stages that might lead to dead ends, directly focusing on optimization paths proven to be effective, greatly shortening the distance from theory to practice.
A few hours later, a rigorously structured and data-rich preliminary draft plan was officially generated.
Ryo stored it with encryption while preparing a summary version to present to Rogal Dorn.
The compass in his hand was incredibly clear because he saw the exact light of the distant lighthouse. More importantly, he had already charted a practical and feasible course on how to safely navigate to that light.
The next step, he needed to persuade one of the Imperium's rulers to give the green light for this course.
This concerned not only the future of the Imperial Fists but also the potential for all Astartes Chapters to advance toward a more complete and powerful form.
The summary of the "Gene-Seed Systemic Optimization and Endogenous Modification Protocol" submitted by Ryo was currently lying quietly in the form of a data slate on the tactical table in Rogal Dorn's command center.
That cold data carrier held information as heavy as a mountain, enough to stir up a storm within the Imperial Fists and even the entire Astartes Brotherhood.
Dorn's massive body stood before the star map, but his sharp eyes were not focused on any flashing threat cursors.
His entire attention was immersed in the complex maze composed of the immense possibilities and potential risks brought by this plan.
He was not the type to excel at weighing pros and cons in an intricate web of interests to finally make a definitive ruling.
His talent lay in execution, in transforming established strategies into impenetrable defenses and unstoppable offensives.
He was accustomed to acting under clear instructions or in the face of obvious threats.
However, what lay before him at this moment was not a fortress needing to be conquered or a position needing to be defended, but a choice.
This choice concerned far more than just the Imperial Fists Chapter, or even all the successor chapters of the Seventh Legion.
It touched upon the cornerstone of the Imperium's martial power: the very foundation of all Astartes. Its chain reaction would ultimately affect the future direction of the Imperium of Man itself.
The risks were obvious.
For every Astartes Chapter, the gene-seed was not merely a biological foundation; it was the most sacred symbol of their bloodline, tradition, and identity.
Any attempt to "improve" or "optimize" it would be seen as near blasphemy in the eyes of the vast majority of Chapters.
Any deep intervention into the gene-seed, no matter how well-intentioned, could be viewed as a betrayal of the Primarch's bloodline and Legion traditions, potentially triggering unpredictable internal divisions and hostility.
The core of Ryo's plan lay in systematically reprogramming the gene-seed itself and introducing "endogenous development," a model that almost overturned the existing augmentation system.
This was far more radical than repairing the defects of the Inductii; it was an attempt to redefine the manufacturing process of an "Astartes."
If any error occurred during the process, whether cultivating defective seeds or causing irreversible tragedies during in vivo trials, the consequences would be disastrous.
This would not only destroy Ryo's reputation and all related research, but it could also brand the entire Imperial Fists and Dorn himself with the crime of "blaspheming the sacred bloodline," making them unable to hold their heads high before their brother Chapters.
However, the potential benefits were equally too massive to ignore.
He had repeatedly reviewed the records from the cogitator arrays of Reid and Catherine's power armor.
Those verified data fragments pointing to the future painted a long and dark picture: ten thousand years of continuous war, endless threats, and the Imperium struggling to survive amidst blood and fire.
And in these records, the figure of Ryo and the technological revolution he brought played a crucial role.
The data clearly showed that it was precisely based on the gene-seed optimization path he pioneered that the future Astartes were able to cope with increasingly brutal battlefields, becoming one of the key pillars supporting the Imperium through devastating crises time and time again.
This testimony from across time and space provided undeniable weight to Ryo's plan.
It proved that this path was not a blind risk, but had been verified as correct and necessary in a certain future.
Reid's body and abilities, which transcended the era, were the most intuitive proof.
This greatly enhanced Dorn's confidence in Ryo's proposal.
Perhaps sticking to the status quo was the greater risk. When facing known future storms, refusing to evolve was tantamount to courting destruction.
But... could this itself be an elaborate trap?
Could the information from the future have been tampered with or misleading? Did the brief cooperation with the Eldar contaminate the purity of the information?
Even though Ryo's logical chain was impeccable and the technical route was clear, the vigilance belonging to a warrior and a statesman deep within Dorn's heart could never be fully quelled.
Horus's betrayal had long taught him that the deadliest threats often originated from the most trusted factions.
Two forces engaged in a fierce tug-of-war within his resolute heart.
On one hand was the desire for stronger sons and a more solid future for the Imperium, as well as trust in Ryo's abilities and the evidence from the future.
On the other hand was a natural aversion to violating taboos, a deep anxiety about potentially triggering internal turmoil, and vigilance against any potential conspiracy.
He could not make a decision.
The weight of this decision exceeded the scope of his daily duties as a Primarch and the commander of the Imperium's defense lines.
It concerned bloodlines, faith, and the fundamental future of the Imperium.
He needed guidance, guidance from a higher level, surpassing the wisdom of mortals or even Primarchs.
(End of Chapter)