Chapter 78: The Cogboy
Omega received a new gift: a starship of his very own. The moment he heard the news from the Archmagos, he dragged Rhea and the others to the spaceport to receive it.
[DATASLATE: EXORCIST-CLASS GRAND CRUISER]
Length: 7.3 km (with fins: 1.1 km)
Weight: ~37,000,000 tonnes
Crew: ~112,000
A length of 7.3 kilometers surpasses the limits of normal human vision. This means that even without any obstructions, a person standing at the bow cannot see the stern. This was not a ship; it was a city flying through space. Its massive size meant that even when it was in orbit around Teyedan, people on the ground could still see its silhouette.
Omega had already excitedly rushed into his future vessel. When he stepped out of the transport shuttle, Veyl was already waiting for him on the flight deck. "My son," the Archmagos said with a benevolent tone, "do you like this gift?"
"I love it! Thank you, Father," Omega, having received the gift, had learned to express his gratitude with respect.
"Hahaha, as long as you like it. Come, let me show you around your ship."
"Yes! I can't wait."
Being on one's own ship was a completely different feeling from being on someone else's. Omega had been to the Archmagos's Ark Mechanicus many times over the years, and each time, he would sourly point out a host of flaws. He had stolen a fair bit of technology, but Teyedan's shipbuilding capabilities had never improved. Even now, they could only produce small vessels like Imperial transports and armed freighters. And they had only started building those two years ago; not a single one had yet been launched. He had wanted to order a ship from another Forge World, but he looked down on the small ones, and the construction time for the large ones was too long. He had too many other things to do, and so it had been delayed. This was one of the few things that had vexed Omega in recent years. Now, the Archmagos had given him such a behemoth, and a new one at that. How could he not be happy?
The Archmagos, looking at Omega who was showering him with auspicious words, felt his guilt grow heavier. But he decided to stick to his original plan. A short pain is better than a long one. He really didn't want to abdicate. He skillfully steered the conversation to the original purpose of ordering the ship, interspersing it with a few adventure stories. Omega, as expected, took the bait, his eyes beginning to shine. Seeing the fish about to bite, Veyl wisely shut his mouth. To be too obvious would alert this "clever fish" and scare it away.
After touring his ship, Omega felt a sense of restlessness in the following days. When he didn't have a ship, he wanted one. Now that he had one, it could only sit in the spaceport, soaking up cosmic rays. Then what was the point of having a starship?
"I'm going on an expedition!" Omega, finally unable to hold it in any longer, announced to Jacob and the others. "I'm going on an expedition!" he repeated.
The group looked at each other. They understood his feelings. They wanted to go too. But to leave meant that everything they had now would change. Their predetermined futures would also change. Was it worth it? They were all conflicted.
"I'm going on an expedition!" Omega said a third time. This time, someone answered.
"Wherever the boss goes, I go," Paul replied.
With someone taking the lead, the others no longer hesitated.
"Let's go, let's go! I've had enough of this place!"
"Agreed! I've had enough too!"
"There are so many ruins in the galaxy waiting for us to explore!"
"And more technology and samples!"
Veyl: A brilliant move is unanswerable!
The news of Omega's expedition quickly spread throughout Teyedan. The cog-heads who had been pushing for him to take the throne all had the same reaction: Foolishness! Your Highness, you must not fall for that old fox Veyl's treacherous plot! They came in groups to persuade Omega to reconsider, annoying him to the point that he sealed his lab and refused all visitors.
Seeing that persuasion was useless, the extremists among them planned to "drape the yellow robe" on Omega. But they were thwarted by the ever-vigilant Veyl, who had secretly sabotaged their plan, exposing them prematurely. They were discovered and arrested by the Provosts. The evidence was conclusive. Although the Provosts were also of the "anti-Veyl faction," they could not show favoritism in this matter. In the end, they were charged with "illegal assembly" and imprisoned for a time, to shut the "concerned parties'" mouths.
When Veyl received the news, he was furious. How could a bunch of rebellious subjects who wanted him to abdicate be charged with disturbing the peace? The charge of "illegal assembly" was not only a slap in his face, but it was also a clear message: Archmagos, we advise you to be graceful. If you are not... This made the Archmagos feel a chill of despair. Did he really have to abdicate?
Just as the Archmagos was about to give up and prepare to go and be the Regent's advisor, Omega came to him with a data-slate. On it was the future plan he had laid out for Teyedan, covering every aspect of the Forge World. According to the plan, as long as there were no irresistible enemies, Teyedan could become one of the most prominent Forge Worlds in the Imperium within 300 years.
The Archmagos was overjoyed. Omega was indeed his good son. He had his own ideas, and he wasn't swayed by outside interference. The only downside was his "womanly benevolence." He had actually stopped him from retaliating against those rebellious subjects. This "little thing" couldn't even go his way. Not "filial" at all.
After being rolled his eyes at by Omega, the Archmagos thought about it and realized that this situation was strikingly similar to when he had acknowledged Omega and incorporated the Worker-Soldiers. Loyalty was good!
Omega was no fool. He had been a part of every aspect of Teyedan's reconstruction. He knew what the Tech-Priests were thinking, what they wanted to do. People would tell him even if he didn't ask. But he had no interest in the Fabricator-General's throne. He had even less interest in dealing with nobles, merchants, and the like. Time can change anyone or anything. In these ten years, Omega had become more and more interested in technology. He was beginning to understand the cog-heads more and more.
Since he had made his decision, Omega began to prepare for his journey. The preparation would take a long time. His "Exorcist," although built in the style of the Adeptus Mechanicus and more to his liking than a similar Imperial Navy ship, still did not satisfy him. So he decided to modify his vessel. He had to. The design philosophy of Warhammer starships was simply too brutish. Omega found it disgusting. For example, the weapon systems that used "space serfs"; the life support systems that added hallucinogens and tranquilizers to the water and air to make the crew tolerate the terrible working conditions; the food recycling systems that recycled organic matter... What happened on other people's ships was none of his business, but his ship would absolutely not be like that. He couldn't make the same fearless self-sacrifice as Ventris, but he could at least "cultivate his own virtue when poor, and aid his neighbors when prosperous."
Omega proposed to the Archmagos that he be allowed to use the shipyards. Veyl, of course, would not refuse. His biggest fear now was that Omega would suddenly change his mind. The little profit from the shipyards was nothing compared to what Omega had left him.
After locking himself in his lab for a month, Omega came out with a ship modification design plan that needed to be adjusted as they went. The reason it took so long was that the complexity of such a large ship was beyond imagination. As a whole, any change could trigger a chain reaction, which could lead to unpredictable consequences.
The "Exorcist" modification project lasted for three full years. The ship's appearance and structure had not changed much, but the interior was completely different. A more powerful plasma engine gave it greater maneuverability. An enhanced structural integrity field made it more difficult to damage in a collision. The improved life support system had better purification and recycling capabilities. A specially designed substance recycling system could not only produce synthetic starch, but also sugars, synthetic meat, pharmaceuticals, and other daily necessities. This system was designed by Omega by improving and integrating technologies such as "microbial decomposition," "protein reactors," and "Promethium refining." With this system, Omega's ship was a self-sufficient little world. In addition, he had also set aside a small area to build an ecological park, which could provide fresh fruits and vegetables, and a place for relaxation and entertainment.
In addition to the more stable multiple void shields, ion shields, and Geller fields, Omega had installed fully automated close-in weapon systems on the exterior of the ship. The Machine Spirit of these weapons was already on the edge of the "Crimson Accords." And all the corridors inside the ship were booby-trapped with Omega's "Grey Mist 2.0." Anyone or anything that tried to board would be met with a surprise from Omega.
Omega had abandoned the "macro-cannons" from the "Exorcist's" original weapon systems. He couldn't understand the point of these behemoths that fired solid projectiles. Even if they could use various types of shells like plasma shells, Omega had no intention of getting into a close-range shootout with the enemy in space combat. And the ammunition, which was several stories high, took up too much storage space. The spacious hangars were also abandoned. The space saved from the hangars and macro-cannons was used by Omega to place automated production lines throughout the ship, allowing him to produce all kinds of weapons and equipment at any time and any place.
For offensive weapons, Omega chose to install a Nova Cannon at the bow. Although it also used solid ammunition, and the ammunition was even larger, the Nova Cannon could accelerate the projectile to near the speed of light, and the damage range after the explosion was 10,000 kilometers, a strategic weapon capable of destroying a star in a single shot. The ordinary weapons were lance batteries and torpedoes. However, Omega's torpedo launch system was an improved version using the "gravity turbine" technology he had learned from the Nova Cannon. This accelerated launch system could accelerate the torpedoes to sub-light speed, and with the torpedoes' own guidance function, it could achieve ultra-long-range attacks.
In summary, this explorator vessel, which Omega had named the "Cogboy," was fast, had long range, was well-defended, had high production capacity, and was comfortable to live in.