"How much time do you need to prepare?" Zeratul asked, focusing on the practical timeline.
"The warship and basic supplies are already on standby. Final adaptability modifications and diagnostics for EVA Unit-01 will require approximately ten standard hours," Osiris replied. "You may use this time to further exchange intelligence on Zerus and draft preliminary operational steps. Valerie will assist you with boarding and familiarizing yourselves with the facilities."
He turned his gaze to Kerrigan one last time: "The core terms of the deal remain unchanged, Kerrigan. This journey is your critical step toward regaining power and retaking command of the Swarm. I wish you... success at the source."
Without another word, he turned and left the discussion room.
He needed to proceed to the bridge immediately to issue orders for the Eternal Seeker to change course, prepare for dimensional jump, and oversee final launch preparations for the Pathfinder—the Perseus-class warship serving as the operational base for the Zerus mission.
Back at the Death World base, the technical authorization negotiations with the Collegia Titanica formed the very bedrock of his long-term foothold and technological advancement in the Warhammer universe.
Zerus, meanwhile, was a vital move on the board to counter the cosmic threat of Amon and complete his transaction with Kerrigan.
He had to play both games simultaneously.
Inside the Pathfinder's hangar bay, EVA Unit-01—sporting its crimson paint scheme and an exaggerated single horn structure on its head—was undergoing final checks surrounded by Tech-Priests and servitors. Asuka had already eagerly climbed into the entry plug simulation cockpit for pre-heat calibration.
Valerie calmly reviewed the Pathfinder's system manifest and the sparse intelligence on the Zerus sector, beginning to chart their flight path and allocate supplies.
Kerrigan and Zeratul stood in the corridor of the warship that would soon be theirs, watching through the viewport as the mountain-like hull of the Eternal Seeker began a slow turn, its main engines emitting a low, charging rumble.
Their respective journeys were about to begin.
On the bridge of the Eternal Seeker, navigation charts were recalibrated.
The route back to the Death World base was highlighted—a complex path requiring traversal through several unstable gravity wells before initiating the dimensional jump drive.
Osiris stood before the primary console, his crimson optical lenses scanning every set of jump coordinates and energy budget metrics.
The shipboard broadcast system issued a smooth synthesized announcement to the entire vessel, declaring the start of a "long-term research cruise" and placing all non-essential personnel on standby rotation.
"Course locked. Main engine output raised to sixty-five percent. Estimated arrival at the dimensional jump initiation point in forty-seven standard hours," the Navigation Tech-Priest reported.
"Execution approved," Osiris commanded.
The massive hull of the Eternal Seeker carved an elegant, decisive arc through the void, heading away from the smaller yet formidable Perseus-class warship Pathfinder, which had just completed detachment, sailing toward vastly different reaches of deep space.
On the bridge of the Pathfinder, the atmosphere was far more complex. Valerie sat in the coordinator's seat adjacent to the captain's chair, multiple displays before her showing navigation status, fragmented intelligence maps of the Zerus sector, and internal ship monitors.
Her expression remained as calm and professional as ever, as though this were merely another routine field assignment.
Kerrigan stood by the observation window, watching the colossal outline of the Eternal Seeker shrink until it was swallowed by starlight.
The cold touch of the suppressors around her wrists served as a constant reminder of her current plight and the challenges ahead.
She harbored complex emotions regarding Osiris's departure: a trace of relief at the removal of direct surveillance, tempered by a far greater weight of uncertainty about the road ahead and doubts concerning the reliability of his promised support.
Yet Valerie's presence acted as an anchor, securing the validity of the transaction.
Zeratul stood silently in a corner of the bridge like a sculpture merged into shadow, his ghostly green eyes fixed on the navigational pointer aimed toward Zerus—the legendary cradle of the Zerg.
He carried not only ancient star chart fragments, but also a crushing sense of duty.
Leading the Queen of Blades—or rather, the former Queen of Blades—back to the origin of the Swarm verged on sacrilege and madness in the eyes of the Protoss. Yet to combat the all-encompassing shadow of Amon, he was willing to tread this perilous, uncharted path.
The most energetic person aboard was Asuka.
She claimed a section near the rear of the bridge, typing away furiously at a tactical terminal linked to EVA Unit-01's subsystems. Occasional clicks of her tongue or light chuckles escaped her as she simulated or reviewed combat scenarios.
She was intensely curious about Zeratul, this "alien," making several attempts to strike up a conversation about Protoss combat methods, only to be rebuffed by silence or terse, minimal answers.
Toward Kerrigan, she maintained the posture of an observer, casting occasional glances that carried more appraisal than anything else.
Only Valerie could make her temper her overly expressive demeanor.
"Course set. Optimal interpolation calculated based on the coordinates provided by Lord Zeratul," Valerie's voice broke the silence. "We expect to pass through two mild spatial turbulence zones during transit, with negligible impact on the hull.
"Estimated time of arrival at the outer edge of the Zerus sector is one hundred and twenty standard hours. I advise using this time to refine operational plans and complete necessary environmental adaptations."
"Environmental adaptations?" Kerrigan turned her head.
"Data on Zerus is extremely scarce. However, based on classifications like 'homeworld of origin' and 'high biological activity,' its atmospheric composition, gravity, and microbial environment likely deviate drastically from standard human habitability metrics, and may even exhibit active bio-corrosiveness," Valerie pulled up generic biological models. "While your physical state has undergone preliminary enhancement, it remains rooted in basic human physiology.
"Lord Zeratul, being Protoss, possesses a distinct physiological structure as well.
"We must prepare suitable environmental protection, medical support, and potential baseline material synthesis protocols in advance. Miss Asuka's EVA Unit-01 features a fully sealed cockpit and internal life-support loop, rendering it the least affected."
"I know my own body," Kerrigan said flatly, though she did not object to the preparations. She understood the terrifying nature of Zerg environments better than anyone, and Zerus, as the source, would only be worse.
"I require a quiet place to conduct psionic meditation and further decipher the fragmented data I hold on Zerus," Zeratul spoke up. "Certain foresights require real-time star charts for precise localization."
Valerie nodded: "A dedicated meditation chamber has been prepared for you, equipped with baseline psionic fluctuation dampers to prevent interference with ship systems. The relevant data feeds have been routed to the terminal inside."
Zeratul gave a silent nod and glided out of the bridge like a shadow.
"What about me? What do I do?" Asuka bounded over, pointing to her own nose. "I can't just stay in the simulation pod the whole time, can I? I need to maintain my synchronization rate, but not every single second!"
"Your training schedule has been arranged, including routine physical maintenance, neural response drills, and familiarization with the Pathfinder's internal layout and emergency evacuation routes," Valerie said calmly. "Furthermore, before his departure, Magos Osiris instructed that you be granted limited access to the warship's non-core database to study the fundamental biological traits and common tactics of the Zerg, allowing for a more efficient response should you encounter them."
"A Zerg database? Sounds interesting," Asuka's eyes darted around. "Are there combat recordings? The super intense kind?"
"It includes select real-combat video logs, primarily sourced from battle data between the Terran Dominion and the Protoss, which have been sanitized," Valerie pulled up an access directory. "Please note, viewing such content may cause discomfort."
"Ha! As if there's anything I haven't seen!" Asuka scoffed dismissively, but having finally found something to pass the time, she excitedly dashed over to her terminal and began operating it.
Kerrigan also left the bridge, making her way to her assigned quarters. She needed to organize her thoughts, further adapt to this "fragile" body, and prepare for the upcoming "source-tracing" journey that could alter everything.
The voyage progressed amidst silence and individual preparations. The Pathfinder cut through the dark like a sharp sword, thrusting toward the region on the star chart marked as "Unknown/High Risk."
---
The remaining glow of the dimensional corridor flickered one last time against the heavy armored hull of the Eternal Seeker, then completely extinguished.
The warship smoothly disengaged from that unnatural spatiotemporal tremor, silently gliding into the icy void at the edge of the Death World star system. Beyond the viewports, the familiar outlines of the desolate planet and orbital facilities emerged under the dim light of the local star.
"Dimensional transit complete. Hull structural integrity at 100%, all systems operating normally. Re-entered the Death World star system, coordinate deviation within acceptable limits," the synthesized voice of the Navigation Tech-Priest announced.
The crimson optical lenses of Osiris's main body scanned the local environmental parameters rapidly refreshing on the primary data screen. Gravitational gradients, background radiation, spatial beacon handshakes—everything matched the baseline data recorded prior to departure.
"All decks, enter standard docking procedures. Establish a secure link with the Death World Base control tower and request docking guidance."
The main aft thrusters of the Eternal Seeker adjusted their vectors, driving the colossal hull into a slow turn toward its dedicated giant berth in the Death World's near-Earth orbit. Several encrypted data links completed handshakes with the base tower first, synchronizing docking parameters and flight corridor information.
The warship approached with precise speed control, smoothly latching into the physical interface of the berth. The heavy mechanical clank of closing locks echoed through the structure as power and data conduits automatically attached.
The docking procedure was complete. Osiris's main body stepped off the bridge and onto the alloy deck of the Death World Base. The base interior activated preset response protocols upon his return, with Tech-Priests and servitors initiating routine maintenance and replenishment operations for the ship.
He proceeded straight back to the main research laboratory located in the core sector of the base. The interior lighting illuminated tier by tier as he entered, filling every corner with constant, cold white light.
Everything inside the laboratory remained as usual. Various cogitator terminals, analysis arrays, and environmental control units rested in low-power standby mode, their main data screens dark.
He walked to the curved primary console, where the data interface on the back of his mechanical body automatically mated with the designated port on the surface.
A massive data stream flooded in: base system logs recorded automatically during his absence, inventory flux reports from various resource vaults, circulation efficiency metrics of the global life-support system, and raw scan logs from the outer sensor arrays.
His logical cores rapidly filtered the information torrent: power core output stability maintained above 98.7%, raw material consumption aligned with preset models, life-support loops showed no contamination or leaks, and all critical indicators remained within green standard thresholds—no anomalies.
After completing the basic status verification, he retrieved a file from the independently encrypted storage partition—an encrypted invitation received shortly before via a high-clearance cross-dimensional link directed toward the Warhammer universe, sent from the Martian Titan Synod Headquarters and signed by High Magos Castian Zor.
The ghostly blue holographic projection unfolded once more. He reviewed its wording, format, and embedded verification ciphers word for word, confirming its authenticity and unalterable nature.
Next, he accessed the deep archival sector of the base's central database and began filtering and organizing data according to the scope of topics hinted at in the invitation—"technical interface standards, resource synergy feasibility, and verification framework for the new Titan Skitarii Guard Synchronized Combat System."
This process lasted several hours, involving the retrieval and cross-referencing of the complete physiological enhancement dataset for the Skitarii Guard project, preliminary compatibility reports between the EVA Puppet System and standard Imperial Titan data links, as well as fragments of ancient synchronized warfare protocols deciphered from STC fragments.
Ultimately, these materials were classified, packaged, and secured with multi-layered techno-psionic encryption strictly according to confidentiality levels and topic relevance, forming several logically structured, hierarchical, independent data modules.
He then issued a series of clear directives across the secure internal link to the base logistics and warship maintenance systems.
The core of these commands revolved around the Eternal Seeker itself.
Osiris ordered the ship maintenance team to immediately conduct a top-tier combat-readiness inspection and maintenance cycle on the vessel, focusing on calibrating the primary plasma propulsion array, testing the Geller field generators, conducting joint functional tests of all weapon systems, and updating navigation star charts and Warp route data required for inter-system travel.
Simultaneously, logistics was instructed to prepare a full suite of ceremonial vestments, identity authentication seals, and specific Mechanicus heraldry representing his faction and achievements, fitting the protocol of a High Magos of the Adeptus Mechanicus attending an academic symposium at the Martian headquarters.
In addition, a small escort support team was designated and placed on standby. This included two Tech-Priests proficient in Titan data protocols, four lower-ranking priests responsible for ceremonial duties and clerical processing, and a squad of Skitarii as a honor guard—all to be deployed aboard the Eternal Seeker for the voyage.
All commands received prompt system confirmations and execution feedback. The maintenance sequence for the Eternal Seeker was prioritized in the queue, and assigned team members received their standby notices.
He disconnected from the primary console and walked to the observation window of the laboratory.
Outside lay the orderly corridors of the base and servitors moving according to their programmed routines; beyond them, visible through high-strength transparent alloy, stretched the real starry space.
He stood silently, his optical lenses steadily emitting a dim red glow while his internal logical cores maintained baseline monitoring loops. The voyage to Mars was fully prepared, awaiting only his final signal to launch.
The Eternal Seeker concluded its final warp transit, smoothly disengaging from the tremors that defied standard physics.
The distorted streams of light beyond the viewports returned to normal, revealing the colossal, rust-red world ahead—Mars, the holy sanctuary of the Adeptus Mechanicus, center of the Omnissiah's faith, and seat of the Collegia Titanica's grand forge.
The warship's warp engines slowly spun down as conventional thrusters took over, driving the hull into Mars' synchronous orbit.
"Entering Martian orbital control zone. Receiving guidance signals from the Mount Olympus primary control tower, frequency verified," the Communications Tech-Priest reported, a rare, barely perceptible tremble of reverence slipping into his synthesized voice.
Even for a Tech-Priest, arriving at Mars bore the weight of a pilgrimage.
"Transmit identity authentication codes," Osiris ordered calmly from the bridge's main console.
His crimson optical lenses reflected the crisscrossing outlines of megastructures and the flickering glow of a billion lights spanning the planet's surface.
Shortly after the authentication codes were transmitted, a response arrived.
It contained not only coordinates for the assigned berth, but also a high-priority welcome transmission from the Ruling Synod of the Mechanicus Headquarters, phrased formally and with evident high regard.
"Berth coordinates locked. Drydock Thirty-Six, East Mount Olympus—a berth typically reserved for Forge World Oversight High Magos to dock Forge Arks," the Navigation Tech-Priest reported, his data cores accelerating slightly at the extraordinary nature of the reception protocol.
Osiris offered no comment. This was within his calculations.
Warp engine technology—the revolutionary breakthrough that completely bypassed the Immaterium to achieve faster-than-light transit through purely physical means—had only developed from his theoretical framework to full prototype testing and limited deployment under Rogal Dorn's full support over the span of a few years.
Yet the disruption it brought was already absolute.
During its initial rollout, the first Imperial merchant fleets retrofitted with warp engines proved its value with indisputable metrics.
Interstellar haulage that once required months or years dependent on unstable and perilous Warp voyages was compressed down to weeks, or even days.
Logistical efficiency had not merely scaled linearly; it had leaped exponentially.
The flow rate of critical raw materials surged by over a thousand times.
This represented not only economic revitalization, but a profound amplification of Imperial authority over its vast territories—especially in an era plagued by frequent Warp storms and severed traditional shipping lanes.
As the creator, lead developer, and driving force behind this technology, Osiris's influence on Mars had long outgrown the scope of an ordinary Magos.
Though the Adeptus Mechanicus was riddled with internal factions and deeply entrenched conservative elements, even the most dogmatic traditionalists were forced into silence—or at least surface-level compliance—in the face of such undeniable, massive technological dividends and strategic supremacy.
Strength—specifically technological power capable of yielding universal profit—remained the hardest currency within a culture that worshipped knowledge and power.
Guided by tractor beams, the Eternal Seeker glided smoothly toward its designated berth.
As the distance closed, the surface details of Mars grew increasingly sharp.
This was no natural, living world, but a colossal machine stripped to its bones, every inch of its crust engineered to serve industry and faith.
Monolithic Forge Cities clung to the landscape like metallic tumors, while countless towering smokestacks spewed endless streams of industrial waste into a permanent, hazy atmosphere.
Interlocking networks of pipelines, rail conduits, and sky-bridges bound each sector together like veins and nerves, while the ceaseless thunder of heavy machinery could be picked up by sensitive sensors even out in the void.
Yet, embedded within this extreme industrial landscape, fresh scars from the recent civil war that had torn Mars apart remained starkly visible.
Certain sectors bore heavy scorch marks and melted slag, while massive impact craters remained unfilled, gaping like unhealed sores.
Occasionally, along the fringes of Forge Cities or out in the barren wastes, one could spot fallen, half-buried megastructures—the shattered hulls of Titans, tombs of the ancient God-Machines, silently attesting to the bloody conflict that had raged at the heart of the Mechanicus.
The Eternal Seeker docked with absolute precision into Drydock Thirty-Six.
A semi-enclosed megastructure, its internal cavern was large enough to house several cruiser-class vessels.
Heavy alloy blast doors slid shut behind the warship, sealing out the noise and radiation of space.
The interior of the drydock was brightly lit, with arrayed maintenance arms and servitor units standing on standby. Far more prominent, however, was the delegation lined up along the berth to receive him.
At their head stood a high-ranking member of the Mechanicus clad in deep crimson robes, his body heavily augmented with cybernetics. His intricate array of mechanical limbs and rear data lines indicated a rank of at least Magos.
Behind him stood two lines of lower priests in ceremonial red robes holding scroll-cables and data-slates, alongside a small honor guard of ornate, heavily equipped Skitarii bearing the heraldry of Martian Headquarters on their armor.
When Osiris's imposing mechanical form stepped off the Eternal Seeker's ramp and onto Martian soil—specifically onto the heavily reinforced alloy deck of the drydock—the receiving delegation executed standard Mechanicus protocols in unison, their joint servos and mechanical whirs blending into a singular hum.
"Welcome to Olympus, Magos Osiris," the lead high priest stepped forward, his finely tuned synthesizer outputting a tone of measured respect and formality. "I am Administrator Priest Kaban-44 of the Foreign Affairs Directorate.
"By order of the Ruling Synod and the Collegia Titanica, I am here to welcome your arrival. Your presence aboard the Eternal Seeker has drawn wide attention across Headquarters."
Osiris offered a slight nod, his crimson optical lenses scanning the honor guard and the vast drydock interior. "My thanks for the reception, Administrator Kaban-44. May the wisdom of the Omnissiah endure."
"Your itinerary has been preliminarily arranged. Considering your long voyage, you are invited to rest at the designated VIP quarters at Headquarters today. High Magos Zor of the Collegia Titanica requests an audience with you tomorrow following standard morning prayers at the Collegia's central hall to discuss the preliminary agenda for this academic symposium," Kaban-44 reported smoothly, turning slightly to gesture forward. "Please follow me; transport is prepared. Your accompanying staff and ship maintenance requirements will be handled by my personnel."
Osiris nodded once more, signaling for the priest to lead the way.
His logical cores rapidly processed the incoming data.
Direct accommodation within Headquarters' designated zone, followed immediately by an audience with High Magos Zor the next morning—the level of formality and efficiency underscored the high priority placed on his arrival. It indirectly confirmed both the massive leverage gained from his warp engine technology and their urgent interest in the EVA Titan project.