When Forge Master Khorasys's aircraft landed on Zeke's Royal Court helipad, Zeke was already standing outside, awaiting his arrival.
The entire Adeptus Mechanicus delegation exuded an almost religious fervor. They were clad in red robes, their mechanical prosthetics gleaming with a cold metallic luster, and servo-skulls hovered in the air, recording every detail.
Khorasys himself was even more exaggerated—his lower body was completely mechanized, four anti-articulated mechanical legs supported his massive frame, and several servo-mechanical arms extended from his back, each loaded with precise tools and scanners.
Only half of his human face remained on his head; the rest was covered by metal, and a single mechanical eye glowed with a crimson light.
"Praise the Omnissiah!" Khorasys's voice carried the characteristic hum of machinery, "Heir Yaeger, you have once again brought a gift that delights the Omnissiah."
Zeke smiled slightly, gesturing for an attendant to bring forth a precise metal box. The box's surface was covered with ancient runes, and its edges shimmered with a faint energy field.
"Forge Master, what I've brought this time is no ordinary item," he slowly opened the box, revealing a power sword, entirely black with veins of ethereal blue energy flowing along its blade, resting silently within.
Khorasys's mechanical eye abruptly contracted, and scanning beams frantically swept back and forth across the sword. His mechanical arms trembled uncontrollably, and his servo-system emitted a rapid hum.
"This... this is impossible!" His voice was almost distorted, "This energy transfer efficiency... this material structure... this is absolutely not existing Imperial technology!"
Zeke watched his reaction with satisfaction.
"A relic from the Dark Age of Technology, perfectly preserved," he said nonchalantly, "One strike from this sword, and even Terminator armor would be nothing but scrap metal."
Khorasys's mechanical arm shot out, almost grabbing the power sword directly, but Zeke gently closed the box.
"Of course, such technology naturally requires appropriate... terms of exchange."
The Forge Master's mechanical eyes flickered wildly, clearly performing complex calculations.
"What do you want?" Undoubtedly, he now couldn't resist adding this Dark Age of Technology artifact to his collection; he wanted to thoroughly study the technological implications it represented.
However, he also clearly understood one thing: such items from the Dark Age were not so easily obtained. Since Zeke had brought out this sword, what he wanted in return was probably not simple either.
Zeke slowly raised a finger, then stated his demands.
"I need one year's total production of resources and minerals from the Forge World you oversee, and I also need a skitarii legion."
"The skitarii legion must belong solely to me. Do you understand what I mean?"
"If you agree, this weapon is yours, and the technology you research from it is also yours."
Khorasys's mechanical prosthetics instantly stiffened, his four anti-articulated mechanical legs emitting a grating metallic screech. The brightness of his mechanical eyes surged by 50%, their crimson glow almost scorching the air.
"One year's production of resources and minerals?!" His metallic voice was mixed with crackling static, "And a skitarii legion?! Do you know what you're asking for? This is equivalent to—"
"Equivalent to one-third of a Forge World's annual output," Zeke calmly interrupted him, "As for the skitarii legion, I recall you recovered three complete skitarii legions after the Battle of Ksorcal, two of which are still sealed in your private armory."
"Furthermore, I remember you reported this to Mars, and Mars approved it. I am now asking you to hand this skitarii legion over to me."
The Forge Master's mechanical arms suddenly retracted, emitting a dangerous hum. The servo-skulls rapidly circled, forming a defensive barrier.
"Your intelligence network is unsettling, Sir," Khorasys's voice suddenly turned cold, "These are all top secrets of my Adeptus Mechanicus."
Zeke chuckled, then spoke to him without a hint of concern.
"You should know that House Yaeger is a knight house that has been passed down for tens of thousands of years. You should be aware of how many such houses exist within the entire Imperium."
"Very little can be hidden from us, and you should also be aware that my technology is far superior to yours, my dear Forge Master."
Khorasys's mechanical eyes stared fixedly at Zeke, the internal lenses frantically adjusting focus. Suddenly, his entire body trembled violently, and his mechanical joints groaned under the strain.
Undoubtedly, he clearly understood what kind of family he was facing. This was a family that had been passed down for tens of thousands of years, and he was unaware of its full heritage.
Beyond that, Zeke's technology was indeed superior to his.
In front of Zeke, his so-called Forge Master seemed more like a common apprentice.
The reason he became Forge Master was also due to Zeke's guidance; otherwise, he wouldn't have been worthy at that time.
Zeke snapped the box shut, "So you see, the price I'm asking is actually very fair, after all... you should be aware of the kind of technology contained within a relic from the Dark Age."
"And you should also repay my favor to you. As a member of the Adeptus Mechanicus, you should understand the true value of technology."
"If we're being honest, you should address me as 'teacher.' So, my dear student, do you not remember your teacher's kindness towards you at all?"
"After all this time, you're not even willing to call me 'teacher'?"
The helipad fell into a dead silence. The servo-skulls froze in mid-air, and even the background hum of machinery vanished.
He dared not make any sound, as they had just stumbled upon a monumental secret.
Khorasys's mechanical prosthetics were frozen, unmoving, only his crimson mechanical eyes flickering wildly, clearly conducting an extremely complex risk assessment.
And behind the risk assessment, his wildly excited emotions could still be seen.
Finally, after a period of computation, the Forge Master's mechanical body suddenly relaxed as if deflating.
All his mechanical arms drooped limply, emitting a resigned hum, yet within this resignation, there was still a hint of joy.
"You win, teacher. The materials will be delivered in batches within thirty Terra standard days," his voice became hoarse, "The activation codes for the Intelligent Control Legion... will be delivered with the first batch of materials."
Zeke displayed a perfectly appropriate, slightly elegant smile, pushing the metal box towards him.
"A pleasant cooperation, my apprentice. I am pleased to have a student like you; your attitude satisfies me."
"After all, you still call me 'teacher.' If there's any technology you don't understand, you can come and ask me, and I can answer you as appropriate."
Zeke's final words completely dispelled Khorasys's last lingering doubts.
Still, no one understood the value of technology more than the Adeptus Mechanicus, and as a Forge Master, honestly, there were few who could guide him technologically.
But, coincidentally, Zeke, from the neighboring planet, could indeed guide him.
The problem was, for an issue that even a Forge Master couldn't solve, to seek guidance from others, as a member of the Adeptus Mechanicus, he was well aware of the immense benefits that would have to be paid.
He dared not even bring it up to Zeke, but now it was different; now Zeke acknowledged him as his teacher.
"Thank you, teacher. It is my honor to serve you—"
Khorasys's last lingering doubts were swept away. He had an excellent teacher, and this was something he had always wanted.
However, Zeke's previous assessment of the Adeptus Mechanicus's mechanical bodies had made him hesitant to express this sentiment.
His teacher had once directly criticized him for transforming himself into something neither human nor ghost, calling it an act of blasphemous heresy.
It was this very assessment that made him afraid to say those words to Zeke, and as time passed, this reluctance turned into some resentment, which led to the negotiation between him and Zeke that had just occurred.
But everything concluded with Zeke acknowledging him as his teacher and expressing willingness to guide him.
Just as he was brimming with excitement, another remark from Zeke reached his ears.
"But seriously, your body is truly unsightly and ugly. When this war ends, I will personally improve it for you. Going out with something that is neither human nor ghost like you is truly too embarrassing for me."
Khorasys's joyful expression froze.
He looked down at his mechanical body.
Well, it was indeed a bit ugly.
But why did his teacher still find him ugly?