The cleanup operation on Veldan III entered its final phase. Having lost their Warlord and primary heavy units, the remaining Ork tribes could no longer organize effective resistance. Under the joint purge by the Iron Hounds and local defenders, they were either annihilated or scattered into the planet's undeveloped wildlands, no longer posing a strategic-level threat in the short term.
After resting in the temporary base for several standard days, the EVA tactical squad received orders to return. On the day of departure, Princeps Olaf personally led the surviving senior officers of the Iron Hounds to the landing pad to see off Osiris and the EVA squad. The atmosphere was solemn and enthusiastic.
"Lord Astartes, thank you once again for turning the tide," Princeps Olaf saluted Osiris with a formal Imperial military salute. "The Iron Hounds will remember this friendship. I will personally push forward the formal proposal regarding follow-up cooperation and technical exchange and deliver it to you as soon as possible."
Osiris (the Second Avatar) returned the nod. "I look forward to further cooperation with the Iron Hounds. May the Emperor's wisdom guide us."
His gaze swept over the officers behind Olaf. The looks they directed toward the three EVA Titans being towed into the cargo hold of the Mechanicus transport ship were filled with awe, curiosity, and an unmistakable spark of desire. These gazes were worlds apart from the suspicion and scrutiny they had shown upon arrival.
Shinji, Asuka, and Rei had already boarded the transport ship. Through the viewports, they watched the receding land below, which still bore the scars of war. Shinji's eyes were complex, reflecting both the relief of leaving the battlefield and a lingering daze from the brutal experience. Asuka sat with her arms crossed, her face showing a mix of satisfaction and weariness after completing a grueling mission. Rei remained calm, as if everything in the outside world was irrelevant to her.
The transport ship's engines ignited with a low roar, slowly ascending and leaving Veldan III and the saluting officers of the Iron Hounds below.
Necromunda, near-earth orbit, the Eternal Seeker, Osiris' Gene-seed Optimization Laboratory.
The air, circulated by high-efficiency filtration systems, smelled faintly of the bitterness of coolant, the slight saltiness of nutrient medium, and the near-silent low-frequency hum of precision instruments. Countless thick cables and data conduits hung from the ceiling and walls like metallic vines, connecting several massive cultivation tanks filled with glowing green liquid. Inside the tanks, developing Gene-seeds were visible, undergoing slow and critical structural optimization regulated by precise biochemical programs.
Osiris' massive, deeply mechanized body stood silently before the main console. Dozens of precision mechanical tentacles danced silently behind his back, plugging into various data interfaces to monitor and fine-tune tens of thousands of physiological and genetic parameters in real-time. His logic core operated at full capacity, processing data streams from the experiment itself, the Dead World base, Night City, and various dimensional exploration projects.
Just as he finished optimizing the injection parameters for a set of catalytic enzymes, a communication request from the laboratory's external node, marked [HIGHEST PRIORITY — COLLEGIA TITANICA — ENCRYPTION LEVEL OMEGA], forcibly inserted itself into his processing queue.
Osiris' crimson optical lenses flickered as he paused the current genetic sequence simulation. He identified the source of the encrypted protocol: Mars, the Headquarters of the Collegia Titanica, the private channel of Archmagos Dominus Castian Zhor. This was within his expectations, though it had arrived sooner than anticipated. The Iron Hounds' report had clearly caught the direct attention of this true power player.
He accepted the communication. A pale blue holographic projection condensed in the laboratory, revealing a massive and complex mechanical silhouette—the remote image of Archmagos Zhor. Countless data cables and auxiliary mechanical arms surrounded and supported a central body that was so highly modified it barely retained a human form. His crimson optical lens array, far exceeding ordinary priests in light intensity and information density, focused on Osiris across the stars.
"Greetings, Archmagos Zhor," Osiris' synthesized voice was steady and devoid of emotion as he returned the projection with Magos-level etiquette.
"Magos Osiris ," Archmagos Zhor's voice rang out—a unique synthesized sound that blended metallic friction with energy tremors, cold and authoritative, yet carrying the absolute rationality of a top-tier technical master. "I have personally reviewed the combat report submitted by the Iron Hounds, designated [TX-114-VELDAN PURGE]."
"The report gives an extraordinary evaluation of the large humanoid combat units code-named 'EVA Titans' that you possess and deployed in battle." Archmagos Zhor's optical lenses brightened slightly. "The tactical-level ultra-high mobility, the seamless integration of biological and mechanical components, and the efficacy in executing precision annihilation of high-value targets in complex battlefield environments have piqued my interest."
A multi-layered encrypted data package was transmitted over.
"Based on this preliminary assessment and the objective demand for new rapid-strike forces on the Imperial frontiers, I wish to obtain further technical details regarding the 'EVA Titans,' including their design principles, the nature of their energy sources, and the feasibility of large-scale production." The package contained an extremely detailed list of technical information requirements.
"Furthermore," Archmagos Zhor's voice remained flat but carried heavy weight, "based on the combat validation and my preliminary judgment, the Collegia Titanica formally submits an intent to purchase. The initial order requirement is for ten 'EVA Titan' units with equivalent performance. You are required to provide a delivery schedule and a list of resource requirements."
Ten units. This quantity exceeded Osiris' expectations; the Archmagos clearly had an urgent intent for practical deployment.
Osiris' logic core completed its analysis within microseconds. Providing all technical details would expose the fundamental differences between EVA technology and the Imperial tech tree, posing a massive risk. However, a total refusal would mean losing a critical ally and resource channel.
"I thank Archmagos Zhor for the recognition," Osiris' synthesized voice remained steady. "The 'EVA Titan' project involves a unique technical path; the cultivation of its core biological components is complex and time-consuming. There are barriers to providing complete technical blueprints. However, based on our shared responsibility for Imperial defense, I am willing to provide the non-core parameters necessary for combat assessment and accept this order, provided the security of the core technology is ensured."
He quickly generated a filtered data package in response, containing basic dimensions, armor types, weapon configurations, and blurred performance parameters.
"Regarding production," Osiris continued, "conventional structural components can be handled by my Nexum Forges. However, the core biological components require independent cultivation facilities. It is estimated that the first validation unit can complete testing within six standard months. Subsequent units will be delivered at a rate of one every four to five months, depending on the supply of core components. A detailed resource list will be submitted within three standard days."
Archmagos Zhor's projection was silent for a moment, accompanied by the faint sound of internal energy flow. "Acceptable. Filtered data received and analyzed. Order confirmed. I look forward to the performance of the validation unit, Magos Osiris. May the Omnissiah guide your forge."
The communication cut off.
The laboratory returned to silence, save for the faint sound of bubbles rising in the cultivation tanks. Osiris' main body turned to another control terminal, locking his crimson optical lenses on the dimensional coordinates representing the EVA world.
Cross-dimensional cooperation with WILLE had shifted from a possible option to an imminent necessity. Archmagos Zhor's order acted as a clear directive, drastically increasing the priority of this cooperation. He needed Misato Katsuragi's cooperation; he needed that world to provide the "shells" of the EVAs.
This was more than just a transaction; it was a critical test of the cross-dimensional resource network he had constructed. He began drafting a formal but goal-oriented communication request to be sent to the world of WILLE.