The third stage was tactical deduction and squad coordination testing. The candidates were divided into several groups and deployed into a complex simulated battlefield for offensive and defensive maneuvers
. They had to formulate their own tactics, assign tasks, and rely on mutual trust and cooperation to achieve their objectives.
This test focused on evaluating their on-the-spot decision-making, their grasp of the battlefield's overall situation, and their awareness of supporting their comrades. Although most candidates displayed the tactical discipline strictly indoctrinated into them, the coordination efficiency between teams varied.
Two individuals showed a clear tendency toward individualism during the exercises, failing to communicate and cooperate effectively with their teammates, which ultimately led to the failure of their mission objectives.
The fourth stage, and the most brutal part, was the live combat stress test. The candidates were thrown into a large simulated arena to face swarms of combat servitors provided by the Adeptus Mechanicus.
These robots precisely simulated the combat patterns of various xenos and traitor Astartes, with their attack intensity and numbers steadily increasing over time. The arena environment was harsh; it was no longer a test of mere skill, but of the candidates' combat will, survival ability, and killing efficiency under extreme pressure. In this stage, there was no room for clever tricks.
The entire assessment process lasted for several standard days. Sigismund and the instructors watched coldly throughout, recording every detail. They looked not only at the results but observed every reaction, every choice, and the candidates' attitudes when facing failure and pressure.
Finally, the assessment concluded. All data was aggregated and analyzed. Sigismund and the instructors held a long closed-door deliberation. They combined the physiological testing data with behavioral observations to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of every candidate. Inside the deliberation room, the atmosphere was solemn. Sigismund looked at the seventeen names and their corresponding evaluation reports on the holographic projection.
"Alvaro: Resolute will, powerful physique, strong tactical execution. Evaluation: Excellent. Suitable for the First Company or the Black Templars."
"Grum: Exceptional strength and endurance, valiant in combat, but tactical thinking is somewhat direct. Evaluation: Good. Suitable for assault squads."
"Kax: Agile, good at adaptation, outstanding individual combat capability, but team coordination awareness needs strengthening. Evaluation: Satisfactory. Recommended for assignment to scout units."
"Candidate A: Weak will, easily distracted, does not meet requirements."
"Candidate B: Flaws in combat instincts, sluggish tactical response, does not meet requirements."
"Candidates C and D: Lack of team spirit, difficult to integrate into the brotherhood of Battle-Brothers, do not meet requirements."
In the end, out of the seventeen candidates, thirteen passed the rigorous trial of the Imperial Fists. Four were eliminated due to clear shortcomings in will, combat instinct, or teamwork. Sigismund approved of this result.
Although the elimination rate was slightly higher than the theoretical upper limit, considering this was the first batch produced by an entirely new transformation process, the final number of successes and the overall quality were quite substantial. This undoubtedly proved the massive potential of Osiris's methods. The efficiency was far higher than traditional methods, and the success rate was indeed superior.
He informed Osiris of the evaluation results. Regarding the four eliminated candidates, Osiris raised no objection, stating calmly, "Hand the failures over to me. Their physiological transformation was successful; they possess research value." Sigismund agreed. While these four failed to meet the entry standards of the Imperial Fists, their bodies remained precious samples that might help optimize subsequent transformation processes.
The thirteen newborn Astartes were about to face the final confirmation of their identities and a journey to Holy Terra. Gaining Sigismund's approval was merely passing the first threshold. For these thirteen Astartes born through non-traditional means, they still required confirmation from a higher level, especially recognition from their genetic source.
A specially modified strike cruiser belonging to the Imperial Fists quietly departed from Necromunda's orbit. Onboard, besides Sigismund and his personal retinue, were the thirteen silent neophytes.
During the voyage, Sigismund did not leave these neophytes idle. He utilized the ship's training facilities to continue his observations and guidance, honing their combat skills and further indoctrinating them with the Chapter dogmas of the Imperial Fists and the crusading spirit of the Black Templars.
The neophytes absorbed everything hungrily. The basic knowledge indoctrinated into them now connected with the reality of the heritage, gradually internalizing into their own beliefs. Alvaro displayed leadership potential, often taking the initiative to coordinate his peers during training. Grum remained the undisputed powerhouse.
Kax, with his keen observation, offered valuable suggestions during simulated tactical deductions multiple times. They were rapidly transforming from "successfully modified entities" into true "Battle-Brothers."
When that holy planet bathed in the Emperor's light—Terra—appeared before the observation windows, all the neophytes, regardless of their personalities, felt a throb of reverence originating from the depths of their genes. That was the location of their creator, the Master of Mankind, and the seat of their Primarch, Rogal Dorn.
After extremely strict inspections and identity verification, the cruiser was cleared to land at a specific spaceport within the Palace district. Stepping onto the soil of Terra and feeling the solemn, heavy atmosphere so different from Necromunda, the neophytes involuntarily straightened their spines.
They had no time to admire the Palace's grandeur; they were led directly to the core fortress of the Imperial Fists within the Palace—a building as solid as a mountain, with every stone inscribed with a history of battle and sacrifice.
In the audience chamber at the deepest part of the fortress, they finally met the legendary Primarch—Rogal Dorn. Dorn's presence was far more majestic than any recorded imagery; he stood there as immovable as Terra itself. His gaze was calm and profound, as if it could pierce through all appearances to see the essence.
Sigismund stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and reported concisely and clearly the entire process of this gene-seed transformation project, as well as the origins and assessment results of these thirteen neophytes. Dorn listened silently, his gaze then falling upon the thirteen neophytes. He did not speak immediately but walked forward slowly, scrutinizing them one by one.
His scrutiny was no mere observation. An invisible pressure originating from the genetic source enveloped the neophytes. Dorn's gaze swept over their forms, their stances, and their eyes, seemingly even sensing the pulse of the gene-seed within them.
Occasionally, he would reach out with precision and gentleness unfitting of his massive frame to touch a neophyte's pauldron or arm, feeling the density of their muscle and the strength of their bone.
He asked several questions—not about dogma, but about choices in combat scenarios, the understanding of sacrifice, and the definition of loyalty. The neophytes answered cautiously yet firmly, based on their indoctrinated knowledge and recent experiences.
Dorn's scrutiny lasted for a considerable time. Silence reigned in the audience chamber, broken only by the Primarch's heavy breathing and the neophytes' effort to control their heartbeats.