Chapter 152: A New Bargain with Caul

The next day…

Qin Mo studied a fragment of "flesh" torn from the Nightbringer's remains. The essence of every Star God is an unknowable cloud of energy; it was the Fearless who, upon first discovering them, crafted their bodies from a material called living metal. Now, Qin Mo was carefully examining a piece of this very metal.

After a while, Belisarius Cawl entered, moving slowly to Qin Mo's side, just as he had last time. Cawl had been summoned by Qin Mo and had lingered here ever since, having given his light cruiser to Vic along with a letter of recommendation to the Agrippina sector. Since then, Cawl had stayed within the Talon system, touring every corner and observing all its technologies. He had even attempted to decipher some of it for his own use, though such an endeavor would take years.

"Come, have a look at this living metal," Qin Mo gestured, inviting Cawl to the observation station.

Recognizing it immediately, Cawl, ever the bold sage in pursuit of knowledge, was intimately familiar with the constructs of the Space Necrons. Yet, he moved closer, placing a slender telescope-like device from beneath his robes over his head, connecting it to the observation equipment.

"This is a rather unique piece of living metal," Cawl murmured, examining it. "It's different from the usual sort."

"Of course, it is," Qin Mo replied, unsurprised.

Straightening up, Cawl inquired about something else. "I noticed that the two spherical fortresses once present in the system disappeared for a while…"

Qin Mo, knowing Cawl's curiosity regarding the Astral Engines' recent venture, remained silent, keeping his focus on the observation.

Cawl did not press further, simply waiting for Qin Mo to reveal his purpose in summoning him.

Meanwhile, Qin Mo, continuing his observations, asked, "What's the status of the Weeping Ones Chapter?"

"Chapter Master Foros has informed every merchant traveling through the Talon system of his survival and presence here. Several chapter brethren have already arrived in response."

Cawl had visited Foros before, inquiring about the abundance of Terminator armor, only to discover that Qin Mo had supplied them. From this, Cawl deduced that material-printing technology, unhampered by manufacturing constraints, could produce anything, given the necessary references and blueprints—a capability he found most enticing.

"Is there any chance of upgrading Foros and his chapter to Primaris Space Marines?" Qin Mo asked.

"That depends on luck," Cawl replied instinctively, before looking at Qin Mo with surprise, wondering how he had come to know of the Primaris project.

Once more, Cawl began to consider whether he should remain in the Talon system, suspecting that devices capable of reading minds were hidden everywhere here.

"Enhance the Weeping Ones with the Primaris upgrade, and I'll sell you this living metal," Qin Mo said, handing the piece of living metal to Cawl.

Cawl stared at the metal in silence, not accepting the deal as quickly as he had last time.

After a moment's contemplation, he spoke. "Do you understand the greatest danger we face, you and I? It's that neither of us has someone of unquestionable authority to vouch for us. By that, I mean status in the Empire; even though you are Governor of the Talon system, and I am an Archmagos, the Inquisition, Mechanicus, or Ecclesiarchy could brand us heretics, turning us instantly into enemies of the Empire."

"In such a precarious situation, I cannot risk unveiling Primaris technology. I don't have the power to command millions of troops and fleets with a single word."

"The Weeping Ones were meant to die in battle; sheltering them is already a severe misstep. Had Host not left so soon…"

Cawl's voice was as cold and steady as a recording, yet Qin Mo detected a note of anger within it.

"Then bring your flagship, the Ark of Explorators, here. I'll use living metal to reinforce its structure," Qin Mo suggested.

"Did you not understand what I was saying?" Cawl was unmoved. "You'd be wise to exercise restraint, to avoid displaying such overtly heretical devices."

"I'll even give you a printer that can fabricate other printers," Qin Mo added.

Cawl fell silent.

In truth, he didn't oppose the idea of a Primaris upgrade for the Weeping Ones, only that it wasn't feasible at the present moment. Yet, the benefits of a living metal upgrade for the Ark and a printer capable of replication…

After some thought, he nodded but couldn't help but ask, "Why are you so determined to aid the Weeping Ones?"

"They fight against the enemies of the material universe. Whether Inquisitors, Astartes, or the Astra Militarum, anyone combating such foes will find an ally in me," Qin Mo replied.

Cawl nodded quietly, though inwardly he mused, *I, too, fight such enemies. Why not share your knowledge with me?*

In the end, Cawl agreed to the Primaris upgrade for the Weeping Ones.

Originally, Qin Mo had intended to perform the upgrade himself, using comprehensive mechanical modifications akin to the Custodians, but considering the Weeping Ones' near-collapse, he feared meddling with what might be their "mystical resilience."

"Prepare what you promised me," Cawl said, turning to leave. "But I make no guarantees that the Primaris transformation will succeed. Nor can I say they'd willingly accept it."

"I have ways of determining who will survive the upgrade," Qin Mo replied.

As Cawl exited, he noticed a young man approaching in the corridor, appearing entirely human yet emanating energy levels beyond the charts. Perhaps a Custodian, Cawl thought, recalling the energy signatures he had once detected on those elite guards. But why would a youth be transformed into a Custodian?

Curious but uninterested in probing further, Cawl continued down the hall.

The youth, watching him leave, transformed into another Cawl and approached Qin Mo. "Who was that machine?"

Qin Mo glanced at the mimicry. "He's not a machine. His name is Belisarius Cawl—a man."

"A man?" the Mimic sounded surprised.

"Yes, Cawl is indeed human. In fact, long ago, he was someone who rejected mechanical augmentation."

"Flesh creatures are utterly incomprehensible," the Mimic shrugged off its curiosity, then asked, "Anything you need me to do?"

"Stay by my side, and don't wander off. When the time comes, use your foresight to assist me," Qin Mo said, contemplating his next moves as he refined the living metal.

Should Foros and his men choose to accept the Primaris upgrade, the Mimic would need to foresee which individuals could endure the procedure and which couldn't, for success wasn't guaranteed, and failure often meant death.

With the plagues, Nurgle's fleets, and the Nightbringer's fragment now under control, the immediate threats were subdued, though more Nurgle fleets might one day besiege Talon. For now, however, Qin Mo's focus would shift to consolidating the system, elevating each star system in the sector to Talon's level of strength and readiness.

And then, there was the matter of Klein, who had been dispatched to deliver a message to Cadia. Qin Mo wondered, would he manage to meet Creed?