CHAPTER 184 — Flesh and Desire
The medicae chamber.
Soft mechanical sounds filled the air, steady hums, low clicks, and the faint hiss of regulated atmosphere cycling through hidden vents. Pale white light shone from long panels in the ceiling, reflecting off polished metal floors and rows of sealed equipment.
Gaius walked beside Roboute Guilliman through the wide corridor that led deeper into the medical wing of the Imperial Palace. Servitors moved silently along the walls, carrying instruments or data slates, their mechanical limbs precise and tireless.
The chamber ahead opened automatically as they approached.
Inside stood a large containment unit made of reinforced glass and layered energy shielding. Suspended within it were several transparent pods filled with pale nutrient liquid. Shapes floated inside, massive cuts of meat, each piece larger than a human torso.
Some were dark red and dense. Others carried faint blue or silver tones. Thick strands of muscle fibers twisted naturally, far more compact than ordinary flesh.
Gaius stopped beside Guilliman as they both looked at the pods.
The Primarch folded his armored arms behind his back, studying the contents carefully.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then Guilliman spoke.
"Is this really the meat from the various sea creatures of that universe you came from, Gaius?"
His tone was calm, curious rather than doubtful.
Gaius nodded.
"Yes. From the Sea Kings and other creatures. The world I visited sees them both as food and as predators of the ocean."
Guilliman stepped closer to the containment glass. The faint glow from the liquid reflected across the blue armor of the Armor of Fate.
Even through layers of ceramite and life-support systems, his presence filled the room.
Behind them, mechanical footsteps approached.
A Genetor entered, his robes dragging lightly across the floor. Multiple mechadendrites extended from his back, each holding instruments or data slates. His face was mostly hidden behind lenses and metal implants, and his voice emerged through a filtered vox-grille.
A Genetor is a Tech-Priest of the Adeptus Mechanicus devoted to the study and manipulation of biological life, treating flesh, genetics, and evolution as sacred systems to be analyzed, preserved, and improved according to the doctrines of the Machine God.
He bowed slightly.
"My lord."
One of his tentacle-like mechadendrites extended forward, offering a glowing data slate to Guilliman.
"My conclusions are derived solely from the tissue sample provided. Its origin remains unknown."
Guilliman accepted the slate easily despite its small size in his massive hand. His thick armored fingers adjusted carefully so he would not crush it.
The display activated.
Magnified images appeared, strands of muscle fibers enlarged thousands of times.
The genetor continued.
"The flesh contains an unusually concentrated bio-energetic structure. The protein chains are extraordinarily complex, reinforced at the molecular level."
The projection shifted, showing animated diagrams of fibers tightening and repairing themselves.
"They behave not as standard nutrients," the genetor explained calmly, "but as catalytic agents. Upon ingestion, they would significantly accelerate cellular repair and muscular reinforcement."
Gaius watched silently.
The image changed again, now displaying simulated muscle tissue repairing damage at extreme speed.
"In simplified terms," the genetor said, "it functions similarly to protein, yet far more potent. A hyper-dense vitality compound. I would designate it, informally, as a 'super-protein.'"
Guilliman's eyes moved steadily across the data.
He read quickly, absorbing each detail without difficulty.
The genetor adjusted the slate again.
"It will not extend lifespan. There is no indication of telomeric stabilization, cellular age reversal, or systemic anti-senescence effects. Biological aging would proceed as normal."
A comparison chart appeared, young, adult, and elderly biological models.
"However," the genetor continued, "even in an aging organism, sustained consumption would preserve, and possibly amplify, physical output. An elderly subject could exert strength and combat force well beyond expected decline."
One mechadendrite twitched softly as calculations updated.
"It does not grant immortality. It does not lengthen years. But the vitality contained within the tissue promotes the development of a far stronger physical form, greater density, greater resilience, and heightened exertion capacity."
He lowered the slate slightly.
"In summary, Lord Primarch: it amplifies the flesh. Nothing more. Nothing less."
Silence followed.
Guilliman raised one eyebrow slightly, a rare sign of genuine interest.
He continued reading through the information carefully.
Its implications were obvious.
Improved recovery.
Stronger soldiers.
Healthier populations.
Sustained strength without unnatural alteration.
He handed the slate back halfway, then paused.
"Can this be cloned and mass produced?"
The genetor tilted his head.
"For combat purposes?" he asked. "As the analysis stated, the original organism from which this flesh originates would likely possess immense strength. Replicating the creature itself for warfare would not guarantee success."
Guilliman shook his head.
"No. It is for the meat."
A brief pause.
The genetor processed the clarification.
"Then it is possible," he answered. "To mass produce it in significant quantities."
Several mechadendrites activated additional projections.
"Thanks to the Magnus Structor that has been constructed, we are capable of producing highly sophisticated vat-grown biomass. This would allow production of large quantities of the meat in slab form."
Guilliman smiled faintly.
"That is good."
Beside him, Gaius frowned slightly.
He crossed his arms.
"What is a Magnus Structor?"
The genetor froze.
For a moment, his mechanical lenses focused on Gaius. Though his expression was hidden, a faint note of disapproval came through his voice.
"The Magnus Structor," he said, "is a machine that arranges matter according to blueprint data, allowing mass production of any construct. For those who possess an STC, it serves as the ideal tool to bring their designs to life."
He paused, then added, "Put simply… it's a perfect printer."
Gaius blinked.
The explanation felt familiar.
Too familiar.
He slowly turned his head toward Guilliman.
The Primarch was watching him.
And smiling.
Not mockingly.
More like someone quietly enjoying a private joke.
Understanding dawned on Gaius.
Ah.
Guilliman cleared his throat gently, ending the moment.
"Since it is possible to produce it," he said calmly, "then move on."
The genetor bowed deeply.
"As you command, Lord Regent."
He turned immediately, already issuing mechanical commands through bursts of binaric code as he left to begin the assigned task.
The chamber grew quiet again.
Guilliman and Gaius began walking toward the exit together.
Their footsteps echoed softly.
As they passed through the doorway, Guilliman spoke without looking at him.
"Do not mind the name, Gaius. It is simply what the Mechanicus chose to call the machine you brought to the Imperium."
After the machine was fully tested, it was entrusted to high-ranking members of the Mechanicus on Terra, those who could be trusted, and allowed to be used under strict control.
Gaius nodded slowly.
"I suspected as much."
That explained the smile.
They continued walking through the corridor.
After several moments, Gaius spoke again.
"Now that we are done with the machine… we move on to the second matter."
Guilliman glanced sideways.
"Oh? There is more?"
Gaius nodded.
"Yes."
He slowed slightly.
"It concerns the Devil Fruits."
Guilliman stopped walking.
The word alone changed the atmosphere.
Devil.
In the Imperium, that word carried only one meaning.
Daemons.
Warp corruption.
Unclean power.
Guilliman turned fully toward him, expression serious.
Gaius expected that reaction.
He raised one hand slightly.
"The Emperor confirmed it," he said calmly. "They are not daemons. The Devil Fruits were created from human desires in that world. They contain supernatural abilities, and grant those abilities to whoever eats them."
Guilliman listened carefully.
He trusted Gaius.
But caution remained.
Gaius extended his hand.
Space distorted slightly.
A fruit appeared in his palm.
It was pale beige, shaped like a pear. Its surface looked dry and cracked, covered in worn spiral patterns that twisted naturally across its skin.
It looked ordinary.
Yet not.
Guilliman could feel something faint from it even through his armor, a strange presence that did not resemble warp energy.
Gaius held it forward.
"This is a Logia Devil Fruit," he explained. "The Dust-Dust Fruit."
He spoke simply, avoiding exaggeration.
"It allows the user to turn their body into dust. Physical attacks pass through them. They can control dust and move as an element."
Guilliman raised an eyebrow again.
"Oh?"
Gaius nodded.
"Its potential is quite good. Flexible. Useful in many situations."
Guilliman reached out and took the fruit carefully.
The massive armored fingers closed around it gently.
For a moment, he simply held it.
Studied it.
He felt something.
Not psychic.
Not mechanical.
Not warp-based.
Something else entirely.
A quiet presence.
Almost like intention.
He turned the fruit slowly in his hand.
"Is this," he asked thoughtfully, "truly the desire of humans from another universe?"
Gaius considered the question.
"Yes," he answered at last. "That world believes so. Each fruit represents a wish, an idea made real."
Guilliman looked at it in silence.
In his long life, he had seen countless weapons.
Technologies beyond reason.
Powers born from gods and monsters.
But this…
This was different.
Not corruption.
Not faith.
Not science alone.
Something born from humanity itself.
He held the fruit a little longer before speaking again.
"Then we must study it carefully."
Gaius nodded.
"Yes. Carefully."
They resumed walking together through the halls of the Imperial Palace, carrying with them two discoveries from another universe:
Flesh that strengthened the body.
And desire made tangible.
Neither fully understood.
Both certain to change the Imperium.
End of Chapter 184
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