Magos Forge Tal Solan spent several hours before he could barely restore his overloaded logic core to steady operation.
He meticulously reviewed all publicly detectable data provided by Cassius-7 regarding ETA-001, including structural stress test reports, energy circuit stability records, basic weapon system calibration data, and the response efficiency and accuracy of the Dummy System to a series of standardized commands.
All the data pointed to one conclusion: this EVA Titan was no hastily cobbled-together inferior product. Its craftsmanship was exquisite, system integration was extremely high, and its performance parameters fully met—and in terms of mobility and energy conduction efficiency, slightly exceeded—expectations. It was a highly completed, battle-ready, true machine of war.
This conclusion stood in sharp contradiction to the sense of absurdity regarding the "ten-month production cycle" deep in his heart, yet it was forcibly bridged by cold, irrefutable data. A sense of vertigo from having his cognition overturned, mixed with the massive excitement of discovering a treasure, tumbled through his complex mechanical thoughts.
He returned to his temporary quarters, a room filled with Martian style, bristling with various data interfaces and cogitator arrays. He needed to report to Archmagos Dominus Saul immediately. The wording had to be extremely cautious.
After long deliberation, Magos Solan finally drafted a report with the highest encryption level. In the report, he first objectively described the acceptance of ETA-001, emphasizing its excellent manufacturing quality and performance that met expectations. Then, using language as plain as possible, he mentioned "production efficiency significantly exceeding traditional cognition," attaching key time nodes as evidence.
He did not directly question the orthodoxy of the technology; instead, he focused on the strategic value such efficiency could bring. He wrote: "—If this production efficiency can be stably maintained and subsequent units maintain the same quality, the 'EVA Titan' project may greatly alleviate the pressure our Collegia Titanica has faced in replenishing frontline units since the Horus Heresy. Its unique tactical positioning and considerable mass-production potential could become a key factor in reshaping the balance of power in certain war zones."
He specifically mentioned the strict secrecy on Osiris's side regarding core technology, particularly the source of the biological components, hinting that there might be a technological path worth exploring deeply, yet one that required cautious handling.
Finally, he suggested that the Archmagos Dominus consider, after confirming the initial units' actual combat performance, whether to seek a deeper and more stable cooperative relationship with Magos Osiris, or even explore the possibility of technology sharing or joint production.
After sending the report, Magos Solan fell into a state of anxious waiting. He knew that once this report reached Mars, it would inevitably cause a shock among the high-ranking members of the Collegia Titanica no less than what he had just experienced. How would Archmagos Dominus Saul decide? Would he be delighted to have secured a channel for rapid strength replenishment, or worried about the potential risks this unknown technology might bring? Or perhaps both?
During this period, Magos Solan repeatedly attempted to request direct communication with Magos Osiris's primary body through official channels. He hoped to pose his questions face-to-face to this mysterious peer, explore the secrets behind that unbelievable production efficiency, and even hoped for a chance to visit the mysterious biological cultivation facilities—though he knew the latter was highly unlikely.
However, all requests were met with polite but firm refusals. The replies came from Osiris's administrative assistant priest on Nexum, with identical wording: "Magos Osiris is currently conducting a vital gene-seed optimization project on Necromunda, which has entered a critical stage and cannot be disturbed by external affairs. Matters related to Nexum are fully represented by Tech-Priest Cassius-7."
Gene-seed optimization? Magos Solan certainly knew the importance of this technology to the Adeptus Astartes and the entire Imperium; its priority was indeed extremely high. But he still felt a slight prick of irritation at being slighted, alongside deeper curiosity.
That Magos Osiris seemed completely indifferent to the order for ten Titans, indifferent to the attention of the Collegia Titanica, and even indifferent to the technological capabilities he had demonstrated that could overturn traditional manufacturing cognition. What exactly was he focused on? Where exactly were his technological boundaries?
This "absence" of the creator instead highlighted the extraordinary nature of the EVA Titan project itself. It was like an exotic fruit growing naturally, while its cultivator remained hidden behind the scenes, having no time to attend to its ripening and harvest.
Magos Solan could only return his attention to the testing grounds, waiting for the subsequent units to roll off the line and for possible further instructions from the Archmagos Dominus. He realized he might need to stay on Nexum much longer than expected—not just to supervise delivery, but to witness firsthand if this incredible production line could truly continue to create miracles.
Meanwhile, deep within the Underhive of distant Necromunda, Osiris's primary body was indeed in a state of nearly isolated focus. The gene-seed optimization experiment had entered the most critical gene-expression stability period. The tissue samples in the twenty cultivation vats were undergoing subtle and vital changes; any interference could lead to total failure.
As for the production efficiency on Nexum and the shock of the Martian Magos, to him, it was merely a data point progressing as expected in a vast plan—worth recording, but requiring no immediate attention. His logic core was allocating the vast majority of its computing power to process the more complex mysteries of genetic codes and life forms.
The smooth delivery of the first EVA Titan and the staggering production efficiency behind it were like a giant boulder thrown into a calm pool, the ripples starting from Nexum and spreading toward a wider range.
Magos Forge Tal Solan's encrypted report, after a relatively short trip through the Warp, arrived safely at the headquarters of the Collegia Titanica on Mars and was presented directly to Archmagos Dominus Castian Saul's private terminal. Even with Saul's depth and vast experience, after reading Solan's report, the cooling system inside his massive mechanical structure emitted a much more noticeable sound than usual.
Ten months.
This number echoed repeatedly in his logic core. He retrieved the original combat reports from the Iron Hounds Legion, compared the performance shown by the EVA Titans on Veldane III, and combined it with this terrifying production speed. A clear conclusion gradually emerged: Magos Osiris possessed a technology distinct from, and perhaps even superior to, the current mainstream Titan manufacturing system of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
his focus quickly shifted from "whether EVA Titans are worth buying" to "how to maximize the use of this production capability" and "whether risks are hidden behind this technology." The secrecy regarding core technology mentioned in Solan's report, especially the source of biological components, acted like a thorn, triggering Saul's vigilance. Xenos technology? Remnants of the Dark Age? Or some unrecorded human branch technology?
But for now, the threats facing the Imperium were so imminent, and the strength gap in the Collegia Titanica was so vast. Compared to potential risks, rapidly acquiring usable, powerful war machines to fill frontline gaps and suppress emerging rebellions and xenos invasions was clearly the higher priority.
Archmagos Dominus Saul's decision-making logic eventually leaned toward pragmatism. He sent instructions back to Magos Solan with two core points: first, continue to strictly supervise the quality of subsequent units to ensure every delivered EVA Titan met combat standards.
Second, at an appropriate time, express a deeper cooperative intent to Osiris's side in the name of the Collegia Titanica, tentatively suggesting the possibility of expanding the order. They could even consider exchanging certain technologies or resources exclusive to the Collegia Titanica to partially decode the production secrets, or at least ensure a stable supply from this production line.