Chapter 98: Joric's Log
The information hit the crew of Edgerunners like a physical blow, shattering their understanding of reality.
A galaxy-spanning Imperium. A cult that worshipped technology as a god. A universe defined by eternal war.
Each concept was so far beyond their Night City experience that it tore gaping holes in their worldview.
"Wait... the Boss... he's part of this 'Mechanicus'?" Pilar blinked, his voice hollow. He tried to grasp the concept but failed. "He treats machines and code... as gods? What... what does that even mean?"
Falco pushed up his shades, his eyes behind them grave. He tried to find a logical explanation, but logic felt pale here. "Based on this data... probably. And... the power he wields... it might be significant even within that system."
Dorio crossed her arms, her bronzed muscles tensing. She tried to connect this information to their situation, but felt only a chill. "A universe of eternal war... No wonder he found us. No wonder he gave us this..." She trailed off, the unease of being swept into a greater current spreading through them.
Kiwi didn't join the discussion. She stared silently at the holographic section detailing the Mechanicus's monopoly on knowledge and technology, her collar pulled even higher.
The descriptions began to merge with her image of the "Boss," bringing no understanding, only a deeper chill born of the unknown. The rules and common sense she knew seemed meaningless here.
Aside from the data, their diet was part of the adaptation.
Ignis regularly sent supplies: dense, gray-white starch-blocks. Flavorless, providing only basic energy and nutrition. Dry and rough, they had to be washed down with small amounts of purified water.
Rebecca nearly vomited the first time she tried one, complaining loudly, but everyone forced themselves to eat to maintain their strength.
While Maine's crew suffered through their days in the barracks, Ignis was not idle.
She had just completed a critical task: receiving and executing the latest directives transmitted via the servo-skull that had arrived with the other-worlders.
These directives were formulated by Tech-Priest Joric on the other side, after confirming the initial success of the transit experiment.
The most crucial order commanded her to immediately transmit a specific, encrypted data-packet to the escort frigate waiting in orbit. This packet contained the exploration log Joric had carefully crafted in the other world.
Ignis executed the order faithfully, ensuring the report would be carried by the frigate's Astropath, whispered through the warp, to their home Forge World.
This report was a masterpiece of Joric's strategy.
He knew the Mechanicus bureaucracy well. A successful exploration must yield a "discovery," but a discovery too amazing would invite unwanted attention and scrutiny—counter to his core interest of secretly researching dimensional technology.
Therefore, in the report, he heavily downplayed the true findings on this Death World.
He described the ruin containing the Dimensional Sextant as a large-scale but severely damaged relic of the Dark Age of Technology. Internal structure collapsed. Core database annihilated. Most salvageable tech rusted or inert.
The report concluded that the site held "archaeological value exceeding technical value," implying a low return on investment, nearly a failed expedition.
However, returning empty-handed was illogical and would devalue him in the eyes of the Forge World's high command.
So, Joric skillfully repackaged his find.
He described the Rogue AI sample captured from the Cyberpunk world's deep net as an "ancient logic-core found in stasis within a relatively intact shielded chamber in the ruin's depths."
In the report, he carefully avoided sensitive terms like "intelligence" or "consciousness," instead emphasizing its "unique and ancient structure."
He speculated that this core might contain pre-Imperial data-processing paradigms or mechanical logic-fragments, possessing extremely high "archaeological research value," and subtly hinted that reverse-engineering it might yield unexpected breakthroughs for the Forge World's specific computational bottlenecks.
With this careful phrasing, he successfully repackaged a dangerous item—potentially a forbidden "Abominable Intelligence"—into an "ancient curiosity" worthy of study.
Joric had carefully weighed the consequences before drafting this report.
He had considered revealing the Dimensional Sextant itself. Such a discovery would shake Mars and the highest echelons of the Mechanicus.
However, that level of attention was a double-edged sword.
It would bring glory and resources, but also direct intervention from Mars, endless prying eyes, and ceaseless scrutiny. His manufactorum in the derelict town, his activities in the other world—all would be exposed. That was unacceptable.
In contrast, this carefully packaged "ancient logic-core" had the perfect value.
It was unique and tempting enough to pique the strong interest of the Forge World's Fabricator-General, satisfying his need for a "unique" breakthrough to elevate the Forge World's status. Any discovery related to ancient data-processing, however tangential, could give their Forge World a unique label in the competitive academic circles of the Mechanicus, securing a better position for Imperial contracts.
At the same time, it was vague and sensitive enough not to trigger immediate, massive intervention from Mars, leaving Joric ample room to maneuver.
He accurately predicted the Fabricator-General's mindset: the desire to elevate the Forge World's status would likely outweigh strict adherence to certain doctrinal details. As long as the subsequent research did not blatantly violate the core tenets of the Crimson Accords or cause uncontrollable disasters, Mars often turned a blind eye to, or even tacitly encouraged, fringe, high-risk, high-reward projects by its subsidiary Forge Worlds.
According to Joric's projection, the merit from this "ancient logic-core" discovery, combined with his past contributions, would be sufficient and appropriate grounds for his promotion to the rank of Magos.
From Tech-Priest to Magos was not merely a change in title. It meant a qualitative leap in authority, the qualification to independently lead large-scale research projects and military operations, and access to core resources.
Including stronger Skitarii cohorts, command of void-ships, and clearance for higher-level knowledge.
This was a critical step in his plan.
(End of Chapter)