Chapter 186: The New Dominant Sage

"Vik."

The giant's body turned slowly, and its voice bypassed auditory receptors, echoing directly in the minds of Vik and Saevin. Ethereal and sacred, the voice nonetheless carried a distinct High Gothic resonance, instantly revealing the giant's identity to Vik.

Vik made a precise Gear Blessing gesture. "Praise be to the Omnissiah, praise be to the Lord of Taron."

Caught off-guard by his friend's response, Saevin followed suit, also making the Gear Blessing.

The towering figure before them was none other than Qin Mo's remotely-controlled shell. The day prior, he had transmitted the shell to the vicinity of the Celestial Engine. Although the device far surpassed standard teleportation beacons in terms of accuracy, the shell appeared five hundred light-years off course, within the Essar System, rather than the intended Agrippina System.

Emerging from a dimensional channel into the midst of a full-scale fleet battle, where Imperial and Eldar forces struggled against a marauding fleet, Qin Mo swiftly altered the shell to appear as an escort vessel, obliterating the attackers. Despite the unexpected detours, the mission was finally accomplished.

"You've shared the STC template I gave you with the entire Forge World?" Qin Mo floated closer to Vik, peering down at him.

"Yes." Reluctant to admit it but aware it was pointless to conceal, Vik replied, "The STC template was a gift, not a discovery I could claim as my own for profit—that would be sacrilege."

He has the heart of a saint, thought Qin Mo, although he kept the observation to himself. Vik's decision had garnered him immense renown, earning him the revered title of "Sage." His act of selflessness was rare among the Mechanicus.

This act afforded Vik an advantage: if he claimed to have found the Omnissiah, those who benefitted from his template would listen rather than dismiss his words.

"You have your reasons, and I understand," Qin Mo nodded, turning to Saevin. "I heard from the Custodians of your prowess as a commander. The Taron forces played a minor role in the ground conflict."

"A ground conflict alone," Saevin answered evenly. "Were it not for this colossal marvel of planetary proportions reclaiming orbital supremacy, the fall of the Forge World would have been inevitable."

Qin Mo nodded, acknowledging this. Following his arrival, he puzzled over the unanticipated changes in the battle: Chaos forces wielded a fleet size far beyond precedent. Yet, despite the alterations, the Forge World had held.

"What losses did you sustain in industrial facilities?" Qin Mo asked.

Vik opened his mouth to respond, but Saevin interrupted. "The Engine Foundry was destroyed, along with numerous ancient structures, some thousands of years old. Even now, remnants of the enemy linger, sowing destruction throughout the Forge."

"This Forge World requires restoration." Qin Mo reached out, and a black sphere appeared in his hand, extending it to the two of them.

"Is this...an STC template?" Vik asked.

"One capable of restoring the Forge World," Qin Mo answered.

This template had been crafted within half a day, infused with Qin Mo's Star God powers. When activated, it would revert a spherical area of five hundred meters to a previous state, recreating it in precise detail using imprinting technology.

"Thank you for your divine gift," Vik, both hands and all mechanical limbs reverently receiving the sphere, marveled at it.

"The method is similar to the earlier STC template," Qin Mo reminded. "Use it to rebuild your world."

Vik placed the STC template carefully within a compartment near his heart, his entire being trembling with gratitude. Looking up at Qin Mo, he could barely speak. "How...how can I repay...how shall the Forge World repay..."

"This is a gift, not a transaction," Qin Mo replied. "If you wish to repay me, then become the Dominant Sage of this Forge World, and await my command."

"I shall achieve it at any cost," Vik replied with fierce resolve.

Vik's current status barely outranked Saevin's, and rising to Dominant Sage would not be easy. Yet the former sage of this Forge World had perished. As Vik walked the war-torn ruins of the forge, wielding what was perceived as a divine artifact, none would doubt that he was the messenger of the Omnissiah.

Whether or not the Mechanicus on Mars acknowledged him, he would undoubtedly hold true dominion over the Forge World.

"I will fully support Vik," Saevin interjected. "Any who oppose him will be swiftly silenced."

While Saevin's role differed from Vik's, his loyalty was unwavering. With this assurance, he felt compelled to voice his intent.

Qin Mo turned to Saevin, raising a hand toward him. Saevin could only watch as the implants within him began to transform, each device modified at an atomic level. His sight grew sharper, hearing keener, and his communication systems allowed him to connect with any location across the Forge. He could sense every subordinate's position and status, while his energy source became a newly-refined fusion reactor.

More attuned to command, Saevin was now equipped with unprecedented physical enhancements as well. Fragments of living metal detached from Qin Mo's shell, adhering to Saevin's body, giving each mechanical limb the capacity to morph into tools or weapons.

Feeling reborn, Saevin released a binary hymn, a melodic ode of gratitude and joy.

"Go, fulfill your duties," Qin Mo gestured for the two to depart.

Yoren, who had been silent all along, rose to lead Vik and Saevin from the Celestial Engine. After they had made their final reverent gestures, he guided them out.

Qin Mo withdrew his consciousness from the shell, returning to his own body, contemplating his next moves.

The Agrippina Forge had survived. With time before Abaddon's assault on Cadia, he could begin consolidating power across the Taron System: build more warships, recruit more soldiers...