Chapter 728: Additional Orders
The pressure was present, but it was mostly translated into highly efficient task scheduling and resource allocation.
His logic core was like the most precise clock, coordinating the progress of each sub-project.
During this period, a phased result was the first to emerge.
The first batch of fifty Titan Guards cultivated for the Collegia Titanica completed their basic cultivation cycle and initial adaptive adjustments.
They were removed from the dedicated cultivation vats and entered the phase of physiological function activation and basic training.
The physiques of this batch of warriors were generally slightly stockier than standard Skitarii recruits, and their muscle lines contained the resilience adapted for heavy-load operations.
Initial neural reflex tests showed that they possessed an extraordinary sensitivity to minute electromagnetic field changes and mechanical vibrations, a result of the targeted enhancement of relevant sensory nerve endings.
In the test chambers simulating strong interference environments, their heart rates and basal metabolism maintained astonishing stability. The speed and accuracy of their conditioned reflexes to the basic tenets of the Omnissiah also reached the preset metrics.
Ryo's main body reviewed the complete test report submitted by the Tech-Priests.
The data showed that this batch of warriors met or even slightly exceeded the initial template requirements provided by the Collegia Titanica in three core dimensions: 'affinity for machinery,' 'environmental resistance,' and 'dogma internalization.'
Their individual combat power might not be on par with the thousand-times-tempered Space Marines, but as auxiliary infantry born specifically to coordinate with, maintain, and defend Titans, their baseline qualities and characteristic tendencies were completely up to standard.
A summary results report, along with a portion of the desensitized test data, was transmitted to the Collegia Titanica headquarters on Mars.
This was both a routine update on the project's progress and a silent demonstration of his own technological capabilities.
Shortly after the results report was sent, that communication request from Mars, possessing an even higher encryption level, connected directly to his private channel.
The initiator was not the previous logistics and allocation priest, but a core assistant Magos to Archmagos Dominus Zhor himself. The complexity of his mechanical augmentations and the rhythm of his flowing psychic light both indicated a much higher rank.
"Magos Ryo," the assistant Magos's image materialized, his voice transmitted through a precise synthesizer, carrying a unique resonance. "The Archmagos Dominus has reviewed the initial cultivation report for the Titan Guard you submitted. The results are satisfactory and meet the Collegia's pragmatic expectations."
Ryo's crimson optical lenses steadily faced the projection. "Meeting Archmagos Zhor's requirements is the baseline of the project."
"It is precisely based on this satisfactory preliminary result, as well as the future battlefield's demand for diversified Titan auxiliary forces," the assistant Magos shifted the topic, cutting to the chase, "that the Archmagos Dominus wishes to further explore the potential application boundaries of your technology. Additional resources have been dispatched and are expected to arrive within fifteen standard days."
"Simultaneously, the Archmagos wishes to know, based on your currently optimized gene cultivation and targeted adjustment technology, whether it is possible... to cultivate some more 'specialized' auxiliary units for the Collegia Titanica?"
Ryo's optical lenses flickered imperceptibly as data streams rapidly analyzed the meaning behind the other party's wording in the background. "'Specialized' auxiliary units? Please elaborate."
"For example, engineering-type enhanced units specializing in emergency exterior Titan repairs, capable of operating efficiently in high-radiation, microgravity, or complex battlefield wreckage environments; or reconnaissance-type units whose sensory systems have undergone extreme enhancement, capable of providing early warnings for specific types of energy attacks, psychic infiltration, and even Warp disturbances," the assistant Magos explained. His tone was calm yet contained a demand for high-end customization.
"We understand that this might require more specialized genetic adjustments that go beyond the standard Titan Guard template, and may even involve some unconventional enhancement directions."
"But considering the strategic value of Titans and the increasingly complex threats they face, the necessity for such functionally specialized auxiliary forces is constantly rising."
"The Archmagos Dominus wishes to know if your technological boundaries can robustly reach these domains?"
"Of course, the corresponding resource support, independent project authorization, and... necessary technological leniency will also match the specialized nature of the demand."
This was a clear probe, and also an opportunity to push their cooperation to a deeper level.
The Collegia Titanica was no longer satisfied with 'general-purpose' Titan Guards; they were beginning to seek truly 'customized' biological auxiliary tools.
This would undoubtedly involve deeper genetic editing, more specific environmental adaptability shaping, and might even touch upon some of the Imperium's potential taboo boundaries regarding the 'human form.'
But the returns were equally clear: tighter binding of interests, higher-level technological cooperation privileges, more rare resources unobtainable through conventional channels, and a more solid, core voice within the Collegia Titanica and the broader Adeptus Mechanicus.
Ryo's response did not have much delay, but his wording maintained technical rigor and room for negotiation. "Theoretically, based on the existing targeted gene micro-adjustment framework, adaptive cultivation protocols, and targeted environmental simulation and training programs, cultivating auxiliary units with significant functional inclinations is feasible on a technological path."
"This can be viewed as a logical extension of the existing 'Titan Guard' template toward more subdivided functional directions."
He paused slightly, letting data support his discourse. "However, when it comes specifically to the extreme environmental physiological tolerance and neural enhancements for precise mechanical operation required for the 'engineering-type', or the cultivation of extraordinary sensory organs and information filtering systems required for the 'reconnaissance-type', they all require far more detailed and stringent physiological demand drafts than the general template, a much longer dedicated development and testing cycle, and a corresponding independent experimental authorization and resource guarantee system."
"The level of risk and the complexity of the technology are directly proportional to the specificity and expected efficacy of the final product."
He neither flatly refused nor easily promised, but instead transformed the other party's 'demand' into a discussable 'technological project,' clearly pointing out its required costs and prerequisites. This demonstrated technological confidence while also carving out room for negotiation for himself.
"Your analysis and conditions are clear and logical." The assistant Magos seemed to have anticipated this answer and did not express disappointment. "Your reply will be truthfully relayed to the Archmagos Dominus."
"I look forward to seeing your preliminary feasibility research proposal and resource demand assessment regarding the cultivation of such 'specialized units' as soon as possible after you receive the additional resources. May the wisdom of the Omnissiah always accompany your logic circuits."
The communication ended. Ryo encrypted and archived this conversation.
The demands of the Collegia Titanica had escalated. This was both an acknowledgment of his technological capabilities and a new challenge and opportunity.
He needed to begin planning how to further modularize and systematize the gene optimization platform, in order to respond to various potential customized demands in the future in a relatively efficient and controllable manner, while ensuring the integrity and independence of his core technological architecture.
Almost simultaneously with the end of the communication from the assistant Magos, another high-priority message arrived from the internal network, sent by Sigismund: "The basic cultivation period for the second batch of test subjects is nearing completion."
"The Imperial Fists' reception and assessment team has been assembled and will arrive at the Eternal Seeker in ten days. Please prepare for the handover of personnel and data."
This was a routine procedure, but it was equally important.
This meant the second batch of 'products' was about to undergo a formal inspection by the Imperial system. Their performance data would directly impact the evaluation and subsequent level of support for the gene-seed optimization project.
Ryo confirmed receipt of the directive and initiated the relevant handover contingency plans.
Inside and outside the laboratory, multi-threaded tasks were advancing synchronously. Results brought new demands, and inspections were accompanied by new opportunities.
Ryo's main body acted as the core node of a precise network, processing diverse information streams from the experiments, collaborators, and the Imperial system. Amidst the ocean of genetics and the undercurrents of power, he continued to plot the course for his next step.