Chapter 725: Report of the Black Templars
When the deployment information from the Pandora world was transmitted back to the main body via the trans-dimensional communicator, Ryo's main body was deep within the gene-seed laboratory of the Eternal Seeker.
His massive, deeply mechanized form stood silently before the main console. Dozens of precise mechadendrites danced silently behind him, plugging into various data ports.
In the center of the laboratory, suspended within giant cultivation vats filled with pale green nutrient fluid, were tissue samples in various stages of development. These were the foundation of the second batch of experiments for the gene-seed optimization project.
Upon receiving the information from the Second Avatar regarding the stabilization of the Pandora situation, the initial advancement of the Eldar's "World Soul Reshaping Plan", and the successful stationing of security forces at the RDA facility, the main body's logic core completed information archiving and weight evaluation within microseconds.
"Pandora framework is operating nominally. The Eldar project has initiated preliminary procedures; risks are controllable, and long-term yield expectations are maintained." A calm judgment flashed through his consciousness stream. "The Second Avatar can independently handle subsequent routine affairs. Current focus must be on concentrating resources to ensure the advancement of core projects."
He immediately fed back a brief directive to the Second Avatar: "Maintain Pandora's current trajectory. Increase the monitoring weight on the extraction progress of Resource Planet - Predator in the Death World star system, as well as the management and research efficiency of the captives."
"Ensure the technical proposal submitted by Ulthwe regarding the 'World Soul' project meets the requirements, and monitor their initial node deployment to ensure they do not overstep. Execute remaining affairs according to established contingency plans."
After issuing the directive, the main body's attention completely returned to the experiments at hand.
Pandora was an important resource and testing ground, but at present, all affairs were developing according to Ryo's expectations, thus requiring no excessive attention.
The research into the optimization and mass production of gene-seed, along with the Titan Guard cultivation project deeply bound to the Collegia Titanica, were the core matters that directly concerned his future status and resource control within the Adeptus Mechanicus and the Adeptus Astartes.
The second phase of the gene-seed improvement experiments had already begun.
Compared to the first phase, which primarily verified the feasibility of "simplifying procedures and accelerating cultivation," the goals of the second phase were much deeper.
Under the premise of guaranteeing the success rate of basic modifications and meeting physiological benchmarks, he was attempting to perform targeted micro-adjustments on the gene-seed itself, exploring the possibility of enhancing specific traits (such as neural reaction speed, bone density limits, and specific hormone secretion levels).
He was also further optimizing energy and nutrient utilization efficiency during the cultivation process to reduce reliance on rare catalysts.
The first batch of "products" that underwent the new modification process and successfully passed the Imperial Fists' assessments had their subsequent physiological data, combat performance records, and regular sampling analysis results flowing into the main body's database as precious feedback. This data was used to correct and refine the experimental parameters for the second phase.
And the "raw materials" needed for the second batch of experiments—another group of age-appropriate youths selected by Sigismund from Necromunda and its loyalist-influenced sphere—had already arrived at the Eternal Seeker.
They would undergo a process similar to the first batch: the most outstanding individuals would be transferred to the Imperial Fists after modification to replenish the Chapter's strength.
The remaining "qualified but non-top-tier" individuals would serve as Ryo's exclusive test subjects for more exploratory "verification-style" experiments, some even touching the boundaries of traditional modification techniques.
These experiments included, but were not limited to: testing the extreme effects of novel catalytic enzymes on organ maturation speed; attempting to introduce micro-stimuli of specific psychic frequencies during the mid-cultivation phase to observe potential shaping of the subject's spiritual resilience...
And even simulating physiological signals corresponding to extreme combat stress in a strictly controlled environment to "pre-train" the response patterns of certain stress systems.
If strictly measured against orthodox Martian dogma or the views of certain conservatives within the Imperium, this research undoubtedly fell into gray or even taboo areas.
But Ryo was not without backing.
Primarch Rogal Dorn's endorsement of the first batch's results was the highest level of endorsement possible.
Sigismund, as one of Dorn's most trusted sons, deeply understood the long-term value of Ryo's research to the Imperial Fists and the entire Adeptus Astartes.
Therefore, regarding Ryo's "technical verifications" that walked the edge of regulations, he chose tacit approval and secrecy, only demanding that the source of the test subjects be "voluntary" and that the final "products" be harmless to the Imperium.
However, not all activities could be completely concealed.
The sudden appearance of an extra planet in the Death World star system out of thin air, along with the occasional detection of energy signatures from non-Imperial standard ships in orbit (despite the Eldar's best efforts to cloak them), eventually drew the attention of the Black Templars company stationed at the Death World base.
A cautiously worded but factually clear report finally landed in Sigismund's hands.
The High Marshal of the Black Templars personally came to the Eternal Seeker.
Sigismund found him on the walkway outside Ryo's laboratory, which was filled with precise instruments and flowing data.
The Marshal's gaze swept over the faintly glowing cultivation vats and bustling Tech-Priests inside the laboratory before finally landing on Ryo's massive mechanized body.
"Magos Ryo," Sigismund's voice was steady, but carried his usual directness. "The Death World garrison reports that a new planet has been added to the local star system, and energy activity signatures suspected to belong to the Eldar have been detected."
"They ask whether this is within your plans, and whether they need to raise the alert level."
Ryo's crimson optical lenses turned toward Sigismund, his synthesized voice completely waveless. "Yes, Marshal Sigismund. That is the result of a resource acquisition project I am leading."
"That planet is inhabited by a special alien organism whose physiological tissues can yield an extremely potent regenerative and life-extending substance, which I have temporarily named 'Rejuvenation Extract'. This substance holds potential significant value for multiple biological research endeavors, including certain catalytic stages of the gene-seed project."
He paused slightly, as if accessing data. "As for the Eldar, it was merely a limited cooperation and exchange of interests necessitated by technological complementarity during the project's execution."
"They provided some assistance in spatial positioning in exchange for a portion of my relevant research data as a reference. The cooperation has currently concluded. The ships they left behind are only tasked with limited observation missions and pose no threat to base security. I have ordered the garrison to maintain monitoring, but there is no need to overreact."
Sigismund listened quietly, his face betraying little emotion.
He certainly knew Ryo's explanation held reservations. The manner in which that planet appeared was absolutely not ordinary, and the cooperation with the Eldar was absolutely not as simple as "limited."
But just as Ryo said, this was a "research project of a Magos of the Mechanicus."