"Foundations of Psionic Theory: Protoss Simplified Edition (Fragment) — 300,000 coins.
Force Field Generator Blueprint (Cybertron Tech) (Torn Page) — 250,000 coins.
Force-Sensitive Meditation Guide (Jedi Padawan Edition) — 180,000 coins.
Beginner Spiral Energy Resonance Guidance Technique — 500,000 coins.
Magical Girl Transformation Device (Damaged) — 1,000,000 coins.
Total: 2,230,000 Imperial Coins."
Tax Bro's eyes bulged. "Wait, what the hell is that last one? A Magical Girl transformation wand? And it's broken?! For a million?!"
White Scars facepalmed. "Cogboy, I know you're a tech fanatic, but this is way too..."
"Let me explain!" Cogboy threw his hands up in surrender. "My thought process was that anything the System generates has to have value. Plus, these are monthly Wondrous Items. If we miss them, we might never get them again. What if it's some game-breaking artifact?"
Schrödinger Bro asked calmly, "So, have you figured anything out?"
Cogboy took a deep breath and pulled up five sets of research notes.
"The first item: Foundations of Psionic Theory: Protoss Simplified Edition (Fragment)."
The holographic projection displayed complex energy formulas and structures.
"This is a... truly miraculous form of energy. Simply put, it operates on a higher energy tier than promethium. It can directly interact with the fabric of space."
Cogboy's eyes began to shine, and his mechanical eye flashed with a blue light:
"According to the descriptions in the fragment, psionics can be used for psionic mech cores, psionic ship engines, and psionic tank thrusters. Most importantly, the fragment mentions a hypothesis: if psionic technology is developed to its absolute peak, warships could perform hyper-space jumps without relying on the Warp."
The conference room went dead silent.
A few seconds later, Schrödinger Bro spoke slowly. "Are you saying... this thing could solve the problem of Warp travel? The Webway Project that 'the' Emperor dreams about every night... inventing this could just solve it?"
"Theoretically, yes." Cogboy nodded. "But we currently only have a fragment. To fully restore it and apply it... unless, uh, unless I can become an entity on the level of Archmagos Cawl of the Adeptus Mechanicus, and live for tens of thousands of years to slowly research it."
Paul frowned. "Meaning it's useless in the short term?"
"In the long term, it could be paradigm-shifting." Cogboy said seriously. "Moreover, I've already verified some of the basic formulas in the fragment. Under laboratory conditions, I used a trace psionic formula to optimize a lasgun's energy circuit. The output power increased by seven percent."
"Seven percent!" Logistics King's eyes lit up. "If we can mass-produce that..."
"We can't." Cogboy smiled bitterly. "The optimization requires incredibly precise mechanical manipulation. Right now, I'm the only one who can do it and it takes two hours per gun."
Tax Bro: "...Forget it then."
"Second item: Force Field Generator Blueprint (Torn Page)."
Cogboy switched the display. "This one is a bit more practical. It describes an energy deflection field. The principle is similar to a Void Shield, but it's... more delicate. Void Shields shunt attacks into the Warp. This thing deflects attacks entirely within the material universe. I managed to build a palm-sized prototype."
He pulled a metallic disk from his inventory and placed it on the table.
"When supplied with energy, it can project a deflection field one meter in diameter. I tested it. It can deflect both laser and solid-slug fire."
Blood Angel asked, "Can you make it bigger?"
"Theoretically, yes. But it requires a massive amount of rare metals and precision machining equipment, which we don't currently have." Cogboy threw his hands up. "However, this gives us a direction. If we can build our own manufactorums in the future, this thing might be far better suited for infantry or vehicle use than standard Imperial Void Shields."
"Third item: Force-Sensitive Meditation Guide."
This time, the projection displayed a set of breathing techniques and mental focus exercises.
"This is useful for Psykers." Cogboy looked at Schrödinger Bro and Blood Angel. "I had a few Psyker players test it. Meditating according to the guide increased their psychic recovery rate by about fifteen percent. Long-term practice might also improve their psychic control and precision."
Schrödinger Bro nodded. "We can roll this out to all Psyker players."
"Fourth item: Beginner Spiral Energy Resonance Guidance Technique."
Cogboy's expression grew serious.
He pulled up the least amount of data yet—just a few vague descriptions and a meridian circulation chart so complex it made people dizzy just looking at it.
"This... is incredibly powerful."
Cogboy spoke with uncharacteristic gravity:
"Simply put, this is a special form of energy ignited by willpower, fighting spirit, and bonds. It's called Spiral Energy. It has a few traits. First, it can enhance the performance of mechanical constructs. For example, it can increase the range and power of a lasgun, or boost the output and battery life of Power Armor. Second, it can shatter theoretical limits. According to the description, as long as the willpower is strong enough, Spiral Energy can allow a standard mech to output Titan-level destruction."
Tax Bro: "What the hell? Isn't this just the fantasy version of the Orks' 'WAAAGH!' energy?"
"It's far more... orderly than the Orks' WAAAGH!." Cogboy explained, "It requires systematic practice and a powerful collective willpower."
He looked at Paul:
"Paul, I strongly recommend you train in this. You are a Champion. You possess five traits. When it comes to willpower and bonds, no one here is stronger than you. If you can fuse Spiral Energy with your current psychic power, it could result in a qualitative mutation."
Paul looked at the meridian chart.
"Are there any risks?"
"Theoretically, no. It doesn't involve the Warp; it's the pure conversion of mental energy." Cogboy said, "But the training requires time. And it works best if you train alongside a bonded partner. Of course, in your case, that bonded partner refers to your Power Armor..."
Paul nodded. "I'll give it a try."
"Now, the fifth item."
Cogboy's expression turned awkward again.
He pulled an item from his inventory... a pink metallic wand topped with a star ornament.
It was about thirty centimeters long and exquisitely crafted, though the surface was covered in cracks and a piece of the star ornament was chipped off.
"Magical Girl Transformation Device, Damaged."
Cogboy cleared his throat awkwardly.
"As you can see, this thing... is exactly what it sounds like."
"According to the System description, it originates from a Magical Girl universe. Its function is to allow a qualified user to transform into a Magical Girl, granting them enhanced physical attributes, energy attacks, flight, and so on but the prerequisite is that it has to be functioning. Right now, it's broken."
Tax Bro was holding back laughter. "So, you spent a million Imperial Coins on a... toy prop?"
"It's not a toy!" Cogboy defended himself. "I ran diagnostics on it! It contains incredibly precise energy conversion architecture and... uh, some sort of conceptual embedding module. Basically, if I can fix it, it really could turn someone into a Magical Girl. Though I don't really understand what use being a Magical Girl is in the Warhammer universe."
[Studying Med is Worse Than Falling to Chaos] suddenly raised her hand. "Wait. If it can enhance physical attributes and healing abilities..."
"Theoretically, yes." Cogboy nodded. "But the problem is, I can't fix it."
He sighed:
"The tech tree for this thing is completely detached from the Warhammer universe. It involves the materialization of emotional energy, conceptual manifestation, rule overrides... I've never even heard of this stuff before. To fix it, unless I really do become Archmagos Cawl and then take a multi-year sabbatical in that Magical Girl universe to study... it's impossible."
Low laughter rippled through the conference room.
Paul smiled too. "Alright, at least the first four are useful. The fifth one... we'll just treat it as a collector's item."
He wiped the smile from his face, his expression turning serious.
"Continue researching the Wondrous Items, but lower their priority. Our primary mission right now is still solidifying our foundation. Regarding the external situation, the four major factions are throwing everything they have at Chaos. This is our window of opportunity for development. Do not interfere with Deep's undercover operation in the Hive. Let him operate freely. Internal construction will proceed according to the plans we just discussed: medical, education, housing, and training. Push all four lines simultaneously."
Paul stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the room.
"Everyone, Crimson Dawn now has over twenty thousand people relying on us to eat."
"They believe we can bring them a better life."
"So we must be worthy of that trust."
He paused:
"At most, one month and the war between the four major factions and Chaos in the industrial zone will be decided."
"No matter who wins, they will likely notice us next."
"When that time comes, we must have enough strength to protect ourselves, protect these people, and protect everything we have built."
Inside the conference room, everyone wore a serious expression. They all gave their assurances, guaranteeing they would complete their missions.
Paul nodded.
"Good."
"Meeting adjourned."
"Get to work."
The command team stood up and filed out.
Paul walked to the window, looking out at the brightly lit base below.
In the distance, from the newly built barracks, the voices of female players teaching the children a song drifted over:
"Equality is the highest glory, the citizens of the Imperium are the greatest ~
Unity is everything, Crimson Dawn marches forward ~"
The melody was simple, and the lyrics were plain.
Paul thought back to the words the projection of light had told him in the vision:
"Hope is not something you wait for. It is something you carve out, step by step."