Inside a secure briefing room aboard the Eternal Seeker, the representatives from the Imperial Fists and their various successor Chapters sat around a massive, alloy conference table.
Key clips from the evaluation looped continuously on the holographic projection screens, flanked by dense columns of scrolling physiological and behavioral data.
Sigismund chaired this internal review meeting. Rather than rushing to voice his own opinions, he allowed the representatives to speak freely.
The Company Captain of the Crimson Fists spoke first, his finger tapping a data summary displayed on the table. "Their physiological foundation is impeccable; certain indicators are even superior to those of traditionally cultivated recruits.
Their environmental resistance and neural stability are particularly outstanding. As 'raw material' for soldiers, they are top-tier."
The Apothecary from the Exemplars followed. "The gene-seed stability monitoring data shows no abnormal fluctuations. Their organs are fully developed and function in harmony. The accelerated cultivation process has left no discernible physical risks.
However," he shifted his tone, "long-term stability—specifically whether their genetic expression remains stable decades or centuries from now—will require prolonged tracking and observation. This is an unavoidable hurdle for any new technology."
A Techmarine from the Executioners Chapter focused on a different aspect. "Their technical adaptability is highly impressive. The speed at which they familiarized themselves with the simulated power armor interfaces, alongside their efficiency in receiving and processing basic data-link information, clearly demonstrates the effect of targeted adjustments during cultivation.
This can drastically compress a recruit's equipment adaptation period and basic tactical training time after enlistment."
Another Captain focused more on the combat aspect. "Their combat skill foundation is solid, but they lack true battlefield aggression. Implanted memories and simulation drills cannot replace the baptism of blood and death.
However, their capacity for learning and their baseline stress responses are excellent. Once they are deployed into live combat, their growth rate will likely be rapid."
The discussion continued for some time, covering aspects of technical reliability, military utility, and potential risks.
Opinions weren't entirely uniform; some placed higher value on the obvious efficiency gains and excellent baselines, while others harbored reservations regarding long-term effects and the lack of "traditional trials."
On the whole, however, positive feedback dominated the room. The benefits brought by Osiris's technology were tangible and visible, while the potential risks were deemed controllable and mitigable under the Seventh Legion's rigorous follow-up training, combat screening, and Chapter traditions.
Ultimately, everyone's gaze turned to Sigismund, awaiting his summary and final decision.
Sigismund spoke slowly, his voice deep and commanding. "The Primarch places high hopes on this technology, with the clear intent of reinforcing the foundational strength of all Chapters under the Imperial Fists' banner.
From what we have witnessed today, Magos Osiris's methods have yielded significant results in boosting recruit cultivation efficiency and baseline quality. It may not directly forge battle-hardened veterans, but it provides more and better 'raw materials,' shortening the time required to temper them into qualified warriors."
He looked around the room. "Risks exist, but they are manageable. Long-term monitoring must be implemented, and every company receiving these recruits will bear the responsibility of providing regular feedback.
The diffusion of this technology will follow the Primarch's will, proceeding within our ranks first. Each Chapter must draft its own plans for receiving and integrating these modified recruits based on its circumstances, ensuring that Chapter traditions and spirit are passed down without the slightest negligence."
He paused, glancing in the direction of Osiris's station. "Based on the results of this evaluation, the Imperial Fists and Successor Chapters Joint Observation Team confirms that the second batch of test subjects as a whole meets acceptance standards. The specific allocation plan will be finalized with the Primarch and the Chapter Masters after consultation among the Chapter representatives."
The resolution was passed. This meant Osiris's second batch of "products" had received official recognition, and his gene-seed modification technology had taken a firm step forward toward full deployment within the Imperial Fists network.
The news reached Osiris shortly after. His logic core processed the message calmly, classifying it as a "project milestone achieved."
Following standard procedures, he immediately began arranging the transfer of the subjects. This included sealing backup gene-seed samples, organizing brief individual dossiers, and coordinating the handoff process with the personnel from each Chapter.
At the same time, he received an update from Mars. The additional resources promised by the Collegia Titanica were confirmed to be in the final stages of transit and were expected to arrive on schedule. Furthermore, the preliminary framework for the "specialized auxiliary units" had been accepted in principle by Archmagos Xol's camp, requesting that he submit a more detailed research proposal once the resources were delivered.
Everything was advancing according to plan, even slightly ahead of schedule.
Standing before the primary observation viewport of the Eternal Seeker, Osiris's main body gazed into the external void. Outside the viewport, the cruisers of the Imperial Fists and their successors were activating their thrusters one after another, preparing to depart.
These vessels would carry away both the data from the observation and the recruits assigned to each Chapter. Through this method, the initial fruits of his gene-seed optimization tech were steadily embedding themselves into the structure of the Seventh Legion lineage.
The Collegia Titanica's customized demands for specialized auxiliary units had been set in motion, representing a deepening of their partnership and a new direction for research. The corresponding resource manifest and initial feasibility analysis had already been placed into his pending queue.
Within the Imperium, there were currently no galaxy-spanning wars occurring. The forces of Chaos appeared quiet following the aftermath of the Heresy, though the perturbations of the Warp never truly ceased.
Various xenos races continued their sporadic raids along the border sectors, and competition for resources alongside ideological rifts among different Imperial departments and factions remained the norm.
Rogal Dorn, based on his strategic assessments, was systematically enhancing the overall combat capability of the Imperial Fists and all their successors as a contingency plan for future large-scale crises.
Osiris's goals at this stage aligned with the Imperial Fists—specifically, using his gene-seed optimization technology to bolster their strength in exchange for a rock-solid foundation for cooperation.
As the technology diffused, subsequent tasks would require handling customized adaptations for individual Chapters, dispatching and training technical teams, and ensuring a stable supply of the core catalyst. Meanwhile, the customized project from the Collegia Titanica would consume additional research resources and cultivation capacity, and long-term projects on both Nexum and Pandora required continuous monitoring and phase-based resource management.
It was entirely predictable that as the influence of his projects expanded, attention, scrutiny, and even competitive pressure from other factions within the Mechanicus or other Imperial powers would follow.
Osiris withdrew his gaze from the viewport. His logic core began prioritizing tasks and pre-allocating resources for the upcoming work cycle based on current data.
The advancement pathways for each plan, potential risk nodes, and response strategies that needed prior preparation were all integrated into a continuously running simulation model.
He turned around, his mechanical limbs clicking evenly against the metal decking as he walked back toward the core area of the laboratory. The next phase of his work was about to begin.