"Thank you for your praise, Archmagos Osiris," Margaret said, placing the teacup steadily back on the table and meeting Osiris' crimson optical lenses with an honest gaze. "The Astoria Family has served under the glory of the Adeptus Mechanicus for generations.
With the lances in our hands and our untarnished oaths of loyalty, we defend the territories and tenets of the omnissiah."
She paused briefly, her words carrying the frankness characteristic of a knight: "I hear you are about to embark on a new great exploration into unknown star systems.
The Astoria Family wishes to contribute its humble strength to this journey, using our swords and shields to guard your route and ensure the smooth progress of the exploration mission."
Her expression was direct and earnest, starkly different from Priest Wharton's previous communication style, which was full of subtext and innuendo.
This also clearly reflected the true nature of the relationship between knightly families and Forge Worlds: it was built on a pragmatic foundation of mutual benefit, though always cloaked in an ancient and solemn veneer of feudal fealty.
They needed tangible missions to prove their valor and worth, thereby maintaining their status within the Forge World system and continuously receiving mech support and resource allocations from the technological core areas.
Osiris' heavy mechanical torso leaned slightly forward, and a low hum emanated from his internal reactor.
"The path of exploration indeed requires reliable escort forces. While Titan war engines are incredibly powerful, they are not omnipotent. In certain special environments and tactical scenarios, the flexibility and adaptability of knight mechas often possess irreplaceable value." He first affirmed their value, then cut to the chase, "I do have plans to assemble an accompanying knight squad, primarily to undertake forward reconnaissance, rapid assault, and critical node defense missions."
A flicker of anticipation crossed Margaret's eyes, but she quickly reined in her emotions, maintaining the composure expected of a knight: "The Astoria Family possesses several experienced knight pilots and well-maintained mechs.
My personal mech, 'Shining Light,' is a specially tuned 'Ranger'-class knight mecha. We are familiar with combat modes in various harsh environments and always adhere to the doctrines and directives of the Adeptus Mechanicus."
Osiris retrieved records from the database concerning the Astoria Family and their mech performance, quickly scanning the key parameters: "Ranger-class… excels in mobility and medium-range fire support.
A good configuration. Records show you perform particularly well in complex terrain combat and against light to medium targets."
"Precisely so, Archmagos Osiris," Margaret nodded in response. "Our mechs are designed to balance mobility and firepower, capable of rapidly adapting to battlefield changes, clearing obstacles for you, or holding vital positions."
She paused briefly, adding a crucial piece of information: "Furthermore, the 'Shining Light' system, passed down through generations of our family, can release a high-intensity energy field for a short period, disrupting enemy sensors and slightly boosting the output efficiency of allied energy weapons.
This characteristic often proves remarkably effective when dealing with certain alien technologies."
This was a valuable piece of tactical intelligence. Osiris silently recorded it for evaluation.
"A very interesting specialty. Specific tactical coordination will require further refinement in actual combat." He then changed the subject, reminding her: "However, exploration missions are often long-term and fraught with unpredictable risks.
You must be prepared for extended periods away from your family's fiefdom, campaigning in distant lands. Moreover, all actions must absolutely obey my commands."
"The knights of the Astoria Family never fear long expeditions or challenges," Margaret replied decisively. "Our oath already encompasses loyalty and obedience. As long as your orders do not violate Imperial law or Adeptus Mechanicus doctrine, the lances of the Astoria Family will always point in the direction you designate."
This declaration was clear and firm, consistent with the customary style of knightly families.
What Osiris needed was precisely this kind of clear and readily deployable armed force.
Cooperation with the Titan Legions leaned more towards long-term strategic planning, while the relationship established with the knightly family was one of immediately available tactical-level collaboration.
"Very good," Osiris' synthetic voice conveyed a hint of approval. "I will arrange for Sekhmet to liaise with you to discuss employment terms, personnel composition, mech transport, and logistical maintenance, among other matters.
The initial plan is to form a squad of three to five knight mechas, prioritizing models with reconnaissance, assault, and support capabilities."
"Understood, Archmagos Osiris," Margaret said, standing and bowing again.
This time, her posture held more of the solemnity of someone about to embark on a mission: "The Astoria Family will not fail your trust. I will return immediately to make arrangements, ensuring that the finest knights are dispatched to serve you."
"I look forward to fighting alongside you, Lady Margaret Astoria," Osiris nodded slightly, watching the valiant female knight turn and depart.
This meeting with the Astoria Family was more like an efficient and goal-oriented talent recruitment drive.
Both parties got what they needed, the terms were clear, and the response was swift.
Osiris gained an elite, flexible escort force that would soon be in place; while the Astoria Family secured valuable combat opportunities, as well as the favor and potential support of a newly appointed, powerful Archmagos Osiris.
— —
Two consecutive important meetings gave Osiris a more tangible understanding of the power and responsibility that came with the identity of "Archmagos Osiris." He was no longer just an independent researcher buried in his laboratory, or a lone adventurer; now, he had become a new emerging node in the vast power network of the Neksum Forge World—and even its radiating surrounding star systems.
The meeting with the representative of the Steel-Hound Legion, though outwardly a social courtesy, actually solidified his connections within the Adeptus Mechanicus' high-end military circles; while the negotiation with Margaret of the Astoria Family was an efficient tactical procurement, preparing him with much-needed mobile forces for his upcoming expedition.
While these necessary social interactions and strategic arrangements occupied his precious time, which he would have otherwise dedicated to pure scientific research, they were the cornerstone for ensuring his grand plan could steadily advance. He deeply realized that only by systematically building his own influence and resource channels in this relatively "safe" rear area could he construct a solid barrier and backing for those more dangerous and unorthodox explorations hidden at the core.
His thoughts once again soared to orbit, focusing on the silent shipyard. There, his future flagship, the lunar class cruiser codenamed NXS-07, lay like a sleeping giant, waiting for him to awaken it and imbue it with a new mission.
The blueprints for the ship's core laboratory had already been simulated and constructed countless times in his mind—there, it would no longer be just a research facility, but would become the true nexus connecting the mysteries of the endless universe.
The ripples stirred by his arrival on the Forge World were spreading, and Osiris, this newly appointed Archmagos Osiris, now stood at the center of these ripples, systematically weaving his own web of connections and power.
All this preparation and accumulation was for the upcoming voyage into the unknown depths of space.