Chapter 293: The Inquisitor's Visit
Inquisitor Karras Walker's ship broke out of the Warp, adjusted its attitude in the void of real space within the Nexum system, and sailed towards the Forge World, encircled by a massive orbital star ring and shrouded in industrial smog.
Unlike the Hive World, the space lanes here were crowded with busy transport ships, armed patrol crafts, and gigantic cargo barges, shuttling around the planet and its star ring like worker bees. The air circulation system mixed the distinct smells of ionized air, metal dust, and industrial waste.
The Inquisitor stood before the observation window, silently gazing at this scene constructed purely of industrial power.
Following navigation signals, the shuttle landed smoothly on a relatively isolated landing platform on the surface of the Forge World.
The hatch opened, and an intense wave of hot, dry air mixed with the smells of molten metal, heavy lubricating grease, and ozone hit their faces—a stark contrast to the strictly filtered air on the ship.
In the distance, the roar of giant furnaces sounded like a continuous earthquake's whisper, and towering smokestacks spewed endless smoke into the eternally gray sky.
A low-ranking Tech-Priest in dark red robes, moderately modified, had already led a silent squad of Skitarii to wait there.
The Tech-Priest's mechanical vocalizer emitted a monotone greeting: "In the name of the Omnissiah, welcome to Nexum, Lord Inquisitor. Lord Magos Ryo awaits you in Analysis Room 7. Please follow me."
Guided by the Tech-Priest, Inquisitor Karras, his accompanying Tempestus Scion squad, and that Imperial Fists Astartes—like a moving fortress—navigated through the massive and complex internal corridors.
The corridor's arched ceiling was high enough to allow war machines to pass. Thick energy conduits and data cables, like vines in a metal jungle, covered the walls and ceiling, emitting low hums and the hissing sounds of flowing energy.
Various models of Servitors and Tech-Priests shuttled orderly through the corridor, focused on their respective tasks. They cast brief, mechanical glances of curiosity at this foreign group before ignoring them.
To break the somewhat dull silence, or perhaps with some intent to show off, the guiding low-ranking Tech-Priest spoke in his flat tone: "The Lord Magos has received quite a few important visitors recently.
"Not long ago, Lord Sigismund of the Imperial Fists also visited and met with the Lord Magos."
He added a sentence, his tone carrying a trace of imperceptible Mechanicus pride, "Lord Sigismund seems to be an old acquaintance of the Lord Magos."
This statement caused Inquisitor Karras's gaze to flicker slightly.
And the Imperial Fists warrior following closely behind him—his posture, originally steady as a stone statue, paused almost imperceptibly. His shoulders, covered in heavy armor, turned slightly towards the guiding Tech-Priest.
Although his helmet concealed his expression, the invisible pressure that instantly focused on them clearly conveyed his inner surprise.
Sigismund, the First Captain of the Imperial Fists, Primarch Dorn's most trusted lieutenant—his name was legendary among the Space Marines.
For him to personally visit a Mechanicus Magos, and to be an "old acquaintance"—the implications of this were enough to make anyone who understood the Imperial power structure ponder deeply.
"Is that so?" Inquisitor Karras responded in a flat tone, properly concealing that trace of surprise. "Captain Sigismund is a cornerstone of Imperial loyalty. His visit is enough to illustrate the importance of Nexum."
He did not continue to press for details, but this news undoubtedly added an invisible weight to Magos Ryo's standing in his mind.
They finally arrived before a heavy alloy gate etched with complex Mechanicus symbols.
After the low-ranking Tech-Priest performed a series of identity verifications, the gate slid open silently, revealing Analysis Room 7 behind it.
The environment inside the analysis room formed a contrast with the rugged industrial feel of the corridor outside, presenting a cold and orderly atmosphere meant for formal meetings.
The cold metal walls were etched with concise binary prayers containing logical beauty. Several metal chairs with rugged lines conforming to Mechanicus functional aesthetics surrounded a massive holographic projection table occupying the center of the room.
The faint smells of ozone and coolant still lingered in the air, but it was much cleaner than outside, and the temperature was maintained at a comfortable range.
Ryo's massive dark red body stood quietly on one side of the projection table. When the Inquisitor's group entered, his crimson optical lenses turned to the newcomers, emitting a steady voice: "Welcome to Nexum, Inquisitor Karras. May the wisdom of the Omnissiah guide our communication."
"Thank you for your reception, Magos Ryo." Inquisitor Karras nodded slightly in response. His gaze rapidly swept over the analysis room's environment, finally landing on Ryo.
He was still wearing his functional Inquisitor attire, his face bearing a weather-beaten steadiness, not appearing restrained or overly humble just because he was in the heartland of the Mechanicus.
That Astartes stood slightly behind like a silent guardian. His yellow power armor gleamed coldly under the indoor lighting, and the gaze from beneath his helmet scanned the surroundings with professional vigilance.
Without much small talk, Ryo cut straight to the point.
One of his mechanical tentacles tapped lightly on the control panel. The holographic projection table in the center of the analysis room immediately lit up, clearly constructing a complete three-dimensional model of the "Iron Guard" power armor: dark red paint, heavy armor, and the conspicuous Cog Mechanicum on the shoulder.
"This is the 'Iron Guard' power armor system, project codename 'Iron Guard'," Ryo's voice was steady, as if stating an established fact. "The initial design intent was to provide the Imperium's elite mortal troops with a comprehensive combat platform combining powerful firepower, superior protection, high adaptability, and reasonable logistical maintenance costs."
He manipulated the holographic projection, and the model began to disassemble, displaying its internal structure.
"The basic framework uses high-tensile alloy and composite ceramic lamination technology, with Forge World standard-grade Ceramite and Plasteel composite armor layered on key areas. Its protection level is sufficient to withstand direct hits from most light laser weapons, shrapnel, and bolters at conventional ranges." He pointed to the power backpack. "The energy core is a miniaturized high-output plasma reactor, providing sustained power for the drive system, weapon platforms, and the integrated 'Bastion' pattern kinetic shield.
"In a charged state, the shield can deflect or weaken the energy of an initial heavy attack, buying reaction time for the pilot."
The projection switched to display the "Iron Guard's" weapon hardpoints.
"Modularity is one of the core design philosophies. The standard configuration includes an arm-mounted storm bolter or multi-laser, and a shoulder-mounted missile launcher or heavy lascannon.
"The interface protocol is open. Depending on mission requirements, it can quickly swap to special weapons like melta or plasma, or auxiliary equipment for reconnaissance, communications, or electronic warfare."
(End of Chapter)